Emergency Medical Minute Episode 956: Psychedelics and Risk of Schizophrenia
May 12, 2025
The podcast dives into the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for mental health issues like depression and PTSD. It discusses classic psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD, as well as MDMA and ketamine. A key focus is a study revealing that recreational use of psychedelics significantly raises the risk of developing schizophrenia. The findings show a stark contrast in hazard ratios when compared to alcohol and cannabis. The conversation emphasizes the need to weigh the benefits against the risks, especially in emergency medical contexts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Psychedelic Classes and Mechanisms
- Classic psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD act mainly by agonizing the 5-HT2A receptor.
- MDMA and ketamine are often included in psychedelic research but have different mechanisms inducing neuroplasticity.
Elevated Schizophrenia Risk from Psychedelics
- Recreational hallucinogen users presenting to the ED have a much higher risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
- After adjusting for other factors, risk remains over three times higher than the general population.
Challenges in Emergency Care for Psychedelic Users
- Emergency departments may not be ideal environments for psychedelic users, potentially worsening outcomes.
- Lack of data on antipsychotic treatment in ED leaves a question about prevention of later psychosis.