Dr. Steven Locke offers virtual consultations via telehealth, making it easier for patients nationwide to access expert care. To get started, schedule a phone consultation with Dr. Locke to determine if he can provide the appropriate treatment for your needs. His availability is limited, so it’s important to reach out as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Additionally, Dr. Locke has developed a screening questionnaire for HPPD in collaboration with researchers at Johns Hopkins University. This tool can help you assess whether your symptoms align with HPPD and serve as a valuable resource to bring to any appointments with your healthcare provider. Though it can take time to find the right treatment regimen and begin to feel comfortable again, it is a process that is well worth the effort.
How Is HPPD Diagnosed?
This hypothesis says that strong memories could be more easily accessed with psychedelic drug use and mistaken as flashbacks. Some evidence shows that HPPD is brought on in a similar way as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, which develop when a memory is triggered by a similar environmental factor. Studies show marijuana – specifically THC, the chemical in marijuana responsible for its mind-altering effects – is the most commonly reported drug people with HPPD used in the past. To have an effective doctor-patient relationship, it’s important that you can be honest with your doctor about all your behaviors, choices, and health history. These factors will help your doctor reach a diagnosis and help you avoid possible complications from drug interactions.
Light Trails and Visual Tracers
The symptom range of HPPD is remarkably complex with sufferers experiencing different phenomenon along a broad spectrum ranging from benign to severe. Individuals with severe symptoms may be unable to perform basic tasks required for a normal life which is medically referred to as a disorder. But sometimes, these flashbacks can be intense, unpleasant, and frequent, even if the person experiencing them is currently abstaining from drug use. The exact mechanism behind HPPD flashbacks is not well understood, and they can occur unexpectedly. These flashbacks are typically less intense and shorter than the experiences brought on by the original hallucinogen use. More research is needed to understand why HPPD symptoms develop in some people who use psychedelics and not others.
- This form of biofeedback typically uses real-time displays of brain activity to help individuals learn to regulate brain function.
- Individuals with severe symptoms may be unable to perform basic tasks required for a normal life which is medically referred to as a disorder.
- The pathophysiology and etiologic roots of HPPD are not known, yet there are several hypotheses which are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
- HPPD may be related to neuroplasticity or the ability of the brain to reorganize itself in response to changes in sensory input.
A Journey Through A Clinical Lesson at the Salpêtrière
- Among those who’ve taken hallucinogenic drugs, only 4% to 4.5% get HPPD.
- Furthermore, individuals who have schizophrenia and HPPD may not have HPPD-related perceptual symptom improvement 10.
- The only certain cause of HPPD is previous hallucinogen use, and it is most frequently caused by LSD.
- If you or someone you care about is struggling with HPPD symptoms, our primary care telemedicine practice is here to provide support.
- However, it is not just chronic use of psychedelics like these that can contribute to the development of HPPD, also sometimes called “Alice in Wonderland Syndrome,” or AIWS.
If one of our articles is marked with a ‘reviewed for accuracy and expertise’ badge, it Halfway house indicates that one or more members of our team of doctors and clinicians have reviewed the article further to ensure accuracy. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. Dr. Nelson has worked in the behavioral health field for more than 22 years. He has served as a clinical director, clinician, and supervisor for mental health pro- grams in acute, sub-acute, and outpatient facilities, and in primary care. Because the condition affects only a small number of people, there’s much we don’t understand about HPPD.
Other Literature Sources
Persons experiencing distressing post-use phenomenon or suffering from HPPD can feel isolated or that support for their condition is lacking. The Perception Restoration Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes and funds research, support and awareness-raising around HPPD. There is a large social media group dedicated to supporting persons with HPPD here.
Focal epilepsy, a condition that affects the nervous system, causing seizures on one half of your brain that lead to hallucinations, flashing bright lights, or other visual changes. Because the visual episodes of HPPD can be HPPD symptom unpredictable, you may want to prepare yourself with techniques for handling the symptoms when they do happen. For example, you may need to rest and use calming breathing techniques if these episodes cause you significant anxiety.