JAMA Psychiatry

Hallucinogen use linked to increased risk of developing schizophrenia

November 22, 2024

In this cohort study, individuals who visited the ED for hallucinogen use exhibited a higher risk of developing schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) compared with both the general population and those with visits related to other substances.

The study analyzed data from over 9.2 million individuals without a history of psychosis, with a median follow-up of 5.1 years. Among them, 5,217 (0.1%) had an ED visit related to hallucinogen use. Notably, the annual rate of such visits increased by 86.4% from 2013 to 2021. Individuals with hallucinogen-related ED visits had a significantly higher risk of developing SSDs within three years, with an age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio of 21.32 compared with the general population. After adjusting for other substance use and mental health conditions, the risk remained elevated, particularly when compared with visits involving alcohol and cannabis.

Source:

Myran, DT, et al. (2024). JAMA Psychiatry. Emergency department visits involving hallucinogen use and risk of schizophrenia spectrum disorder. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39535804/