Negative Health Effects Associated with Psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, Ibogaine, and 5-MeO-DMT
-
By
-
Otto Simonsson
-
Melissa Bradley
-
Joshua C. Black
-
Karilynn M. Rockhill
-
Andrew A. Monte
-
Peter S. Hendricks
-
September 29, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Negative Health Effects Associated with Psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, Ibogaine, and 5-MeO-DMT
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Psychedelic Substance Use |
| Key Mechanisms | Adverse health outcomes associated with use of psychedelics and entactogens. |
| Target Population | US adults reporting use of psychedelics in the past 12 months. |
| Care Setting | Nationally representative survey of health outcomes. |
Key Highlights
- Psilocybin had a 3.1% prevalence among users, while ibogaine had 0.2%.
- Worsening physical health attributed to psilocybin was reported by 6.2% of users.
- Ibogaine users reported the highest rates of adverse effects, including 45.1% for worsening physical health.
- Improved mental health was most frequently reported with psilocybin at 51.2%.
- 75.6% of psilocybin users reported at least one adverse effect.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Management
Monitoring & Follow-up
Risks
- High percentages of adverse effects reported for ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT users.
- Cardiac adverse effects associated with ibogaine use.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults in the US who reported use of psychedelics in the past 12 months.
Adverse health outcomes vary significantly by substance, with ibogaine showing the highest risk.
Clinical Best Practices
- Consider potential adverse effects when discussing psychedelic use with patients.
- Monitor for cardiac issues in patients using ibogaine due to its association with QTc prolongation.
Related Resources & Content
