Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry
January 10, 2025
Emma I Kopra, Jenni Penttinen, James J Rucker et al.
9 citations
Between 1997 and 2022, only 28 deaths in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland involved psychedelic drugs, with 75% directly implicated and 25% potentially implicated. Most deaths were accidental (86%), involved multiple drugs (68%), and occurred in people under 30 (82%). The most common psychedelics were LSD (39%), psilocybin (21%), and NBOMes (18%). Polysubstance use was the most frequent contributing factor (82% of cases), followed by unsafe physical environments. While psychedelic-related deaths are very rare compared to other recreational drugs, their unpredictable effects create unique risks, often compounded by polydrug use.
Journal of analytical toxicology
May 20, 2022
Caroline S Copeland, Simon Hudson, Ric Treble et al.
9 citations
The dissociative hallucinogen 3-MeO-PCP, a phencyclidine derivative, can cause severe psychological agitation and life-threatening cardiorespiratory effects. The United Nations classified it as a Schedule II substance in 2021. This report describes the first UK fatality solely attributable to 3-MeO-PCP intoxication, adding to 15 previous fatal cases worldwide. The authors note that blood concentrations associated with toxicity remain uncertain but provide detailed sample information to aid future interpretation. They suggest that exercise may worsen toxicity, cautioning against use as a club drug where elevated heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure are likely.
Journal of analytical toxicology
July 9, 2025
Jade Pullen, Robert Moore, Rebecca Wood et al.
1 citation
Two deaths in the UK following DMT use occurred in the context of polydrug use, with both cases involving additional compounds that can increase serotonergic drive, potentially causing serotonin syndrome. DMT was detected in femoral blood at 0.23 mg/l and 0.24 mg/l. One case involved cocaine and amphetamine; the other involved venlafaxine and mirtazapine. A literature search found three previous fatalities after DMT use, all accidental, two during ayahuasca ceremonies. Polydrug use is increasingly common, and users of unregulated drugs should exercise caution when combining them with other unregulated drugs or prescribed medications.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
April 6, 2026
Kirsten L Rock, Paul Rees, David Morgan et al.
MDMA is being studied as a treatment for PTSD, but many patients already take antidepressants. This retrospective case-control study used a national drug-death database to examine whether antidepressant use is linked to MDMA-related deaths. Among 1328 MDMA-positive deaths and 5312 matched controls, post-mortem detection of antidepressants was associated with lower odds of MDMA fatality compared to other drug-related deaths (adjusted odds ratio 0.595, 95% CI 0.491-0.722). However, when analyzing prescribed antidepressants, no significant association was found (adjusted odds ratio 0.838, 95% CI 0.688-1.021). The findings suggest an inverse association between antidepressant use and MDMA fatality, but the relationship is not straightforward.