Panic reaction

Patients with LSD-induced disorders come to the attention of medical care providers because of an acute overdose, because of a panic reaction during... 

Zwanzger et al. 2003). Administration of the neuropeptide ANP was effective in reducing the CCK-4-elicited panic reaction in patients with panic disorder and to a lesser extent in healthy controls. Moreover, ANP inhibited the CCK-4-induced rise of ACTH in both patients and controls, which may be attributed to a reduced hypothalamic CRH release (Jessop 1999 Wiedemann et al. 2001). Interestingly, ACTH release in response to CCK-4 was foimd to be blunted in patients when compared to healthy controls. This finding is possibly due to a chronic hypersecretion of CRH with a subsequent downregulation of CRH receptors in such patients (Wiedemann et al. 2001). 

Benzodiazepines comprise a category of drugs that include Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, and Xanax. Though initially effective in reducing anxiety, these medications can become addictive. It is generally advised that people use benzodiazepines to interrupt dramatic episodes of anxiety, such as a panic reaction, but that these medications not be used over extended periods of time. 

Psychedelics LSD Mescaline Phencyclidine (PCP] Psilocybin Hallucinogens Oral may also be smoked or inhaled Altered perception and insight distorted senses disinhibition Severe hallucinations panic reaction acute psychotic reactions ... 

Another concern is the user s mental state. If a psychological disorder is already present, the user s condition could be worsened. Some people, even those without existing psychoses, report panic reactions when taking the drug. 

Common adverse psychologic consequences of hallucinogenic drugs include panic reactions ("bad trips") and acute psychotic reactions with PCP. Treatment includes benzodiazepines for sedation and constant monitoring by a nondrugged companion for several hours. Acidification of the urine (see Chapter 59 Management of the Poisoned Patient) may hasten PCP excretion. 

Five Japanese patients who ate an indigenous mushroom, Psilocybe argentipes (hikageshibiretake), had various effects (12). One became stuporose with complete amnesia one had a psychedelic state with dreamy consciousness, and three had acute psychotic reactions with vivid visual hallucinations. All had acute anxiety and panic reactions. 

Paranoia and "bad trips" are similar to panic reactions and are also mostly products of set and setting. They, too, will subside by ttiemselvcs if left to run their course. 

In 1977, J. Ott estimated that several tens of thousands applied dosages of psychotropic mushroom material are harvested and used each year, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Despite these quantities, there have never been reports of fatalities or serious physical damage as a consequence of using the Psilocybe or Panaeolus species. Local papers merely mentioned occasional panic reactions that subsided as soon as the acute effects of the mushrooms had worn off... 

Considering the widespread use of psychoactive mushrooms in Australia, there were only a handful of reports about medical complications, amounting to only minor complaints from a few individuals. Symptoms were almost exclusively limited to panic reactions due to excessively high doses. These reactions were precipitated by bizarre psychic sensations, which the person was unable to integrate. One... 

It appears that in the early days of mushroom usage in Great Britain, massive amounts of Psilocybe mushrooms were consumed on several occasions, which caused a higher number of panic reactions than elsewhere in the world. 

Toxicity primarily involves the CNS and cardiovascular system. CNS effects include increased alertness, restlessness, decreased appetite, irritability, stereotyped repetitive behavior, and insomnia with low doses. With larger exposures confusion, panic reactions, aggressive behavior, hallucinations, seizures, delirium, coma, and death can occur. Intracranial bleeding can result from untreated hypertension. Trauma is common secondary to the changes in behavior and decreased judgment. Frequent use results in fatigue, paranoia, and depression. Cardiovascular effects include increased heart rate and blood pressure, chest pain, myocardial ischemia or... 

Symptoms include nausea, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations, psychosis, panic reactions, paranoia. 

Phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) are medications that should no be administered with LSD, because this can exacerbate panic reaction and cause postural hypotension. 

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