Hallucinogenic Persisting Perception Disorder: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

January 18, 2024

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In HPPD, the filtering mechanism may remain switched off even after the drug has worn off. What’s baffling is that some people can develop permanent-trip symptoms after using drugs only a few times, while others emerge from years of frequently dosing on LSD and mushrooms with no lingering issues. Nearly half of the respondents reported taking multiple “precipitating drugs,” about one-fifth said they took only LSD, roughly 13% took only psilocybin mushrooms, and 5.5% listed only cannabis. The average age of the survey’s respondents was 28, and more than 8 in 10 identified themselves as white — about the same proportion as were male.

What are the main changes we see with HPPD?

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder is the symptoms that occurred during a previous episode of hallucinogen use. Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics. This is by Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project team-member Ed Prideaux, presenting his ground-breaking new research on HPPD. Also, check out our new paper on extended difficulties after a psychedelic experience, which we’ll write more about in coming weeks. You may find it helpful to check out the Fireside Project helpline, a charity organisation offering free and immediate peer support for those experiencing difficulties related to psychedelics.

Q: Can weed or alcohol trigger HPPD?

Some who suffer from HPPD develop the disorder after years of using hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms. For others, just a single psychedelic experience can bring on its lasting effects. In a smaller number of cases, it has been triggered by MDMA and even cannabis alone. On the sixth day, the patient stated, “The space-time continuum is not constant. I can close my eyes for 45 seconds and open them, and I am in a different location than the one I am at. I see people are following and stalking me, and many big corporations are after me, like Google and especially Tesla.” He also reported that he was at the cemetery, sitting on a tombstone, contemplating his mortality.

• Additionally, these symptoms may persist for varying durations, ranging from weeks to months or even years after using hallucinogenic substances.
• I see people are following and stalking me, and many big corporations are after me, like Google and especially Tesla.” He also reported that he was at the cemetery, sitting on a tombstone, contemplating his mortality.
• There is little evidence that an individual’s chances of developing HPPD increase with their frequency of drug use; the disorder can also occur in people who have had little experience with hallucinogens.
• Benzodiazepines such as Xanax showed the highest success rate, with 58% of those who took them reporting that their symptoms improved.

There are also reports Substance abuse of people who have only used hallucinogens once or twice experiencing similar symptoms. Researchers believe that people are at risk of experiencing HPPD if they take hallucinogenic drugs recreationally. However, they do not yet understand the type or frequency of drug use that causes it. One hypothesis suggests that anxiety may amplify existing visual disturbances and potentially trigger these visual phenomena. Many report that their visual distortions become more pronounced or even emerge during periods of heightened anxiety or stress.

CBT helps patients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. For example, a person who has become fearful of social situations due to HPPD may learn relaxation techniques and gradually face feared situations to overcome avoidance. Despite the challenges posed by Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder, there is hope for those affected by this condition. The Perception Restoration Foundation is an organization dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of HPPD and to promoting research into effective treatments.

What helps Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder?

Overall, the signs and symptoms of HPPD can significantly disrupt an individual’s daily life, causing distress and sometimes leading to social isolation or withdrawal. Therefore, recognizing and addressing these symptoms may significantly improve the quality of life for those affected by this disorder. Healthcare providers may use mood assessments or psychological evaluations to diagnose bipolar disorder. If symptoms include dramatic mood changes accompanied by hallucinations, bipolar disorder is more likely. If symptoms are primarily visual and not tied to mood, HPPD is the more probable diagnosis.

It’s unclear how many people experience this condition because people with a history of recreational drug use may not feel comfortable admitting this to their doctor. If these visual disturbances occur frequently, you may have a condition called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). It appears that persons with psychiatric comorbidity like depression, anxiety, or a substance use disorder are more likely to present with complex type of symptoms 5. Other reviews have hypothesized that psychiatric comorbidity may be a risk factor for HPPD 1.

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There is no known specific cure for HPPD and treatment may focus on a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustment. Therapy can be helpful in teaching people how to change their thought HPPD symptom patterns and reaction to experienced perceptual disturbances. Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, or mindfulness-based therapies have all demonstrated some improvements in particular cases.

If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of HPPD, seeking professional help is a vital step toward managing the condition effectively. The exact cause of HPPD1 is not well understood, but it is linked to the use of hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), and MDMA. The intermittent nature suggests a less severe alteration in the brain’s processing of visual information. If you or someone you know is struggling with the perplexing symptoms of HPPD (Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder) or Visual Snow Syndrome, you’re not alone.

• The common term “trip” refers to a drug-induced inner neurological experience in which sensory perception is altered while taking hallucinogenic drugs.
• On a second session, symptoms reduced further and the increased delta activity originally observed was gone.

These disturbances may include halos around objects, trailing images, or intricate geometric patterns. Unlike typical flashbacks, which are brief and sporadic, HPPD symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or even years. Hallucinogenic persisting perception disorder is characterized by the recurrence of visual phenomena caused by psychedelic drugs for days, months, or even years after the trip.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder that affects thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and difficulty distinguishing reality from imagination. It is a long-term condition that typically requires ongoing treatment. Derealization, experienced by around 25% of individuals with HPPD, involves a sense of detachment from the external world. This symptom likely stems from disruptions in the brain’s ability to process sensory information and maintain a stable sense of reality.