Improved colour blindness symptoms associated with recreational psychedelic use: Results from the Global Drug Survey 2017

J., Anthony,; Winstock, Adam; Ferris, JA; Nutt, DJ

doi:10.1177/2050324520942345

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…This case report builds upon findings from the Global Drug Survey in which participants reported amelioration in CVD symptoms following psychedelic use, possibly lasting for years in some cases (Anthony et al, 2020). Our subject, a 35-year-old man with mild deuteranomalia, experienced a quantifiable partial improvement in his CVD lasting for at least sixteen days, which led to reclassification of mild color-blindness to normal color vision according to self-administered Ishihara Test.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…The mechanism for the reported benefits of CVD by psilocybin remains unclear. Anthony & colleagues have hypothesized that since the brain can alter experience of color beyond optic nerve input (Ramachandran and Hubbard, 2001), alterations in higher-level visual processing induced by psychedelics likely underly their ability to improve CVD in some individuals (Anthony et al, 2020). Since CVD typically results from a genetic defect and psychedelics likely do not alter the actual visual signal coming from the retina, they may produce an expanded spectrum of color perception in people with CVD by inducing new neural connections between cortical regions that “link new photisms to pre-existing concepts of colors, thus facilitating a new color experience” (Anthony et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Intriguingly, findings from a 2020 study using data from the Global Drug Survey, the largest annual international online survey on drug use (Global Drug Survey, 2023), suggest that psychedelics might durably improve CVD symptoms in some people (Anthony et al, 2020). In that study, 49% (23/47) of respondents with CVD and psychedelic use reported psychedelic-associated symptom amelioration, most commonly after lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or psilocybin use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Case report: Prolonged amelioration of mild red-green color vision deficiency following psilocybin mushroom use

Barnett

Sweat

Hendricks

2023

Drug Science, Policy and Law

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Background Recent survey data indicate that some people report long-term improvement in color vision deficiency (CVD), also known as color blindness, following use of psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin. However, there are no objective data reported in the medical literature quantifying the degree or duration of CVD improvement associated with psychedelic use. Case presentation Here we present the case of a subject with red-green CVD (mild deuteranomalia) who self-administered the Ishihara Test to quantify the degree and duration of CVD improvement following the use of 5 g of dried psilocybin mushrooms. Self-reported Ishihara Test data from the subject revealed partial improvement in CVD peaking at 8 days and persisting for at least 16 days post-psilocybin administration. This improvement may have lasted longer, though the subsequent observations are confounded by additional substance use. Conclusion A single use of psilocybin may produce partial improvements in CVD extending beyond the period of acute effect, despite this condition typically resulting from a genetic defect. Systematic exploration of this possible phenomenon is needed to confirm our findings, gauge their generalizability, and determine the mechanism of action.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Case report: Prolonged amelioration of mild red-green color vision deficiency following psilocybin mushroom use

Barnett

Sweat

Hendricks

2023

Drug Science, Policy and Law

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“…The majority (52%) of those using psychedelics reported doing so to improve their wellbeing, with others reporting use to deal with emotional concerns (32%) or to address a psychiatric condition (15%). Other evidence suggests psychedelics are used recreationally to treat anything from eating disorders (4), to racial trauma (5), chronic pain (6) and colour blindness (7); suggesting that recreational users are attempting to bene t from the therapeutic effects of psychedelics observed in clinical studies in recreational settings.…”

Section: Full Textmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are You Tripping Comfortably? Investigating the Relationship Between Harm Reduction and the Psychedelic experience

Palmer

Maynard

2022

Preprint

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Background. Alongside a recent revival in the use of psychedelics in clinical settings, there have been increases in the prevalence of recreational use, with many using psychedelics to deal with difficult emotions or to improve wellbeing. While clinical research is conducted in carefully controlled settings, this is not necessarily the case for recreational use. In this mixed-methods study, we aimed to develop an understanding of frequently used psychedelic harm reduction practices in recreational settings and how their use relates to the psychedelic experience. We also aimed to characterise users’ first and most recent psychedelic trips to understand how harm reduction changes with experience. Methods. Participants (n = 163) recounted their first and most recent psychedelic experience by providing details about the harm reduction practices they employed and completing the Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Emotional Breakthrough Inventory (EBI). We also asked open ended questions for a more in-depth qualitative understanding of their views on psychedelic harm reduction. Results. Using ANOVA, we observe greater use of harm reduction practices for participants’ most recent versus first psychedelic experience and that use of these practices is positively associated with EBI scores and negatively associated with CEQ scores (particularly for the first experience). Participants engaged in a wide range of harm reduction practices and we provide details of those which are most commonly used and those which are deemed most important by experienced users. Our qualitative analysis indicated that participants were largely positive about psychedelics and many recounted profound positive experiences. While specifics of the drug they were taking was important for aspects of harm reduction, participants largely focused on the importance of ensuring a good ‘set and setting’ for enhancing positive effects. Conclusions. Our research helps us understand how engagement in harm reduction may increase with experience. Our mixed methods data sheds light on the perceived importance of different harm reduction practices and examines their association with the psychedelic experience itself. Together, our research has important implications for the development of psychedelic harm reduction advice and provides opportunities for future research to explore the importance of these different practices in more detail.

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“…The majority (52%) of those using psychedelics reported doing so to improve their well-being, with others reporting use to deal with emotional concerns (32%) or to address a psychiatric condition (15%). Other evidence suggests psychedelics are used recreationally to attempt to self-treat anything from eating disorders [ 5 ], to racial trauma [ 6 ], chronic pain [ 7 ] and colour blindness [ 8 ]. This suggests that recreational users are attempting to benefit from the therapeutic effects of psychedelics observed in clinical studies in recreational settings and applying them to a wide range of untested issues.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Are you tripping comfortably? Investigating the relationship between harm reduction and the psychedelic experience

Palmer

Maynard

2022

Harm Reduct J

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Background Alongside a recent revival in the use of psychedelics in clinical settings, there have been increases in the prevalence of recreational use, with many using psychedelics to deal with difficult emotions or to improve well-being. While clinical research is conducted in carefully controlled settings, this is not necessarily the case for recreational use. In this mixed methods online survey study, we aimed to develop an understanding of frequently used psychedelic harm reduction practices in recreational settings and how their use relates to the psychedelic experience. We also aimed to characterise users’ first and most recent psychedelic trips to understand how harm reduction changes with experience. Methods Participants (n = 163) recounted their first and most recent psychedelic experience by providing details about the harm reduction practices they employed and completing the Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Emotional Breakthrough Inventory (EBI). We also asked open-ended questions for a more in-depth qualitative understanding of their views on psychedelic harm reduction. Results Using ANOVA, we observe greater use of harm reduction practices for participants’ most recent versus first psychedelic experience and that use of these practices is positively associated with EBI scores and negatively associated with CEQ scores (particularly for the first experience). Participants engaged in a wide range of harm reduction practices and we provide details of those which are most commonly used and those which are deemed most important by experienced users. Our qualitative analysis indicated that participants were largely positive about psychedelics and many recounted profound positive experiences. While specifics of the drug they were taking was important for aspects of harm reduction, participants largely focused on the importance of ensuring a good “set and setting” for enhancing positive effects. Conclusions Our research helps us understand how engagement in harm reduction may increase with experience. Our mixed methods data shed light on the perceived importance of different harm reduction practices and examine their association with the psychedelic experience itself. Together, our research has important implications for the development of psychedelic harm reduction advice and provides opportunities for future research to explore the importance of these different practices in more detail.

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Improved colour blindness symptoms associated with recreational psychedelic use: Results from the Global Drug Survey 2017

Cited by 6 publications

References 18 publications

Case report: Prolonged amelioration of mild red-green color vision deficiency following psilocybin mushroom use

Case report: Prolonged amelioration of mild red-green color vision deficiency following psilocybin mushroom use

Are You Tripping Comfortably? Investigating the Relationship Between Harm Reduction and the Psychedelic experience

Are you tripping comfortably? Investigating the relationship between harm reduction and the psychedelic experience

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