Could Hallucinogens Induce Permanent Pupillary Changes in (Ab)users? A Case Report from New Zealand
Case Reports in Neurological Medicine January 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2503762 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAn 18-year-old white female from Australasia had persistently dilated pupils in both eyes, causing discomfort and burning in sunlight, though her pupillary light reflex remained normal. She used psychedelic substances including LSD, NBOMe, psilocybin, and DMT. Extensive medical, neurological, and radiological exams—including EEG and MRI of the head and neck—found no physical or anatomical cause. She had chronic endogenous depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, treated with citalopram and Ritalin. No family history of similar conditions existed.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 18-year-old Caucasian female from Australasia with persistently dilated pupils and history of psychedelic use |
| Keywords | Depression economics Pupillary response Pupillary light reflex Psychiatry Ajmaline |
| Citations | 18 |
| Key finding | Persistent bilateral mydriasis with intact light reflex occurred in a young woman with psychedelic drug use and no detectable organic cause. |
Abstract
An eighteen-year-old female patient of the Caucasian ethnicity from Australasia presented with a persistently dilated pupil causing her discomfort and occasional burning sensation when she is outdoors due to oversensitivity to sunlight. However, her pupillary reaction to light (pupillary light reflex) was intact. The patient is a known user of psychedelic substances (entheogens) including LSD, NBOMe, psilocybin, and DMT. The condition affects both eyes to the same extent. Thorough medical, neurological, and radiological examinations, including an EEG and an MRI of the head and neck region, were completely normal. All these tests failed to detect any pathophysiological or anatomical abnormalities. The patient is a known case of chronic endogenous depression in association with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, for which she is taking citalopram and Ritalin, respectively. There was neither a family history nor a similar congenital condition in her family.