Migraine prevalence in visual snow with prior illicit drug use (hallucinogen persisting perception disorder) versus without
European Journal of Neurology May 12, 2021 Robin M. van Dongen, Gerard J. Alderliefste, Gerrit L.j. Onderwater et al. 31 citations
Among 24 people with hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) presenting as visual snow syndrome, none had migraine, whereas 20 of 37 (54.1%) people with visual snow who had never used illicit drugs before onset had migraine. Symptom severity, measured by the Visual Snow Handicap Inventory, was similar between the groups, with a median score of 38 out of 100. In most HPPD cases (70.9%), visual snow began after ecstasy use; other drugs reported included cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, and amphetamine. The findings suggest different pathophysiological factors underlie HPPD and visual snow syndrome without prior drug use. Users of ecstasy and other hallucinogens should be warned about the risk of visual snow.