[Solved] What does psilocybin do to blood pressure?

During the first hour of a psilocybin trip often finds a sympathetic activation This leads to a temporary increase in blood pressure and heart rate. This is a natural consequence of the stimulation of serotonin receptors (particularly 5-HT2A), which are responsible for the psychedelic effects but also influence the cardiovascular system. Healthy people usually experience a mild to moderate rise within safe limits. In clinical studies, for example, an average increase in blood pressure to around 138/80 mmHg was reported.

After the trip, blood pressure usually returns to normal levels quickly. Sometimes it may even drop slightly below baseline levels for a short time, which, when combined with medication such as beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors, can lead to dizziness or light-headedness. For this reason, if you are taking blood pressure-lowering medication, it is advisable to consult a doctor thoroughly beforehand and, in some cases, to (temporarily) stop taking the medication in consultation with your doctor.

Below is a breakdown of the effect of psilocybin on blood pressure, broken down by period of use of this psychedelic substance.

During the trip

• Psilocybin usually causes a slight to moderate increase in blood pressure at the peak of the trip. Both systolic and diastolic pressure increase. For example, one study reported systolic pressures of approximately 138–142 mmHg (with diastolic pressures of ~80–87 mmHg) at doses of 10–30 mg of psilocybin. This increase is dose-dependent and short-lived.
• In a meta-analysis, the likelihood of an acute rise in blood pressure whilst on psilocybin was more than twice as high as with a placebo (relative risk ≈2.29). In most cases, the increases were assessed as “mild” and no medical intervention was required. Nevertheless, such a temporary spike poses an additional risk to people with cardiovascular problems: according to a risk report, this temporary rise in blood pressure can be dangerous for heart patients, particularly those with untreated hypertension.

Immediately after the trip

• Once the psychedelic session has ended, blood pressure usually returns to normal quickly. In controlled studies, blood pressure returned to normal levels by the end of the session. For example, one participant’s blood pressure fell from a peak of 214/114 mmHg back to normal levels by the end of the 7-hour session.
• There is no evidence of persistent hypertension immediately after the experience; blood pressure usually returns to near-baseline levels straight away after the trip.

Hours after the trip

• A few hours after administration, the acute cardiovascular effects have virtually disappeared. Clinical data show that any increase in blood pressure resolves within approximately 8 hours of dosing. Blood pressure then returns to baseline levels.
• Some users actually report slightly low blood pressure during these hours, particularly when psilocybin is combined with blood pressure-lowering medication. In practice, blood pressure may “drop off” somewhat after the adrenaline rush. As a result, there may be a slightly increased risk of dizziness or fainting shortly after the experience (and the following day) if someone has taken antihypertensive medication.

The next day

• The effects have completely worn off around 24–48 hours after ingestion. Systematic studies conclude that all acute side effects of psilocybin had normalised within ~48 hours. Blood pressure is then almost always back to normal the following day.
• There are no signs of persistent changes in blood pressure or instability the day after the trip. Psychological “after-effects” may linger for a while, but physically, the cardiovascular system returns to functioning as it did before the trip.

Interaction with blood pressure medication

Although there are no specific studies, experts offer the following advice and observations:

• People with high blood pressure or heart problems: It is advised to exercise extra caution. Risk reports emphasise that a temporary rise in blood pressure caused by psilocybin can be particularly problematic for heart patients or people with untreated hypertension. Such individuals should discuss a potential trip thoroughly with their healthcare professional.
• Beta-blockers: These inhibit the rise in heart rate during the trip. In practice, however, this leads to a more pronounced drop in blood pressure after the trip. Users often experience an overall lower blood pressure whilst the effects of psilocybin are “wearing off”. When combined with a beta-blocker, blood pressure may then drop too low, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness or fainting. Taking the beta-blocker after the session (rather than before) may be safer.
• ACE inhibitors: No specific interactions are known. As ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure, they may slightly dampen the rise in blood pressure during the trip, but they may also exacerbate a drop in blood pressure in the hours that follow. There is no direct evidence that psilocybin alters the action of ACE inhibitors, but caution is advised regarding cumulative hypotensive effects.
• Calcium channel blockers (such as amlodipine): Like other vasodilators, a calcium channel blocker can intensify the after-effects. Therapists therefore sometimes advise against taking blood pressure-lowering medication before a psilocybin session. This is to prevent blood pressure from dropping too low afterwards. Otherwise, low blood pressure accompanied by dizziness or fainting may occur.
• Diuretics: Little has been published on the subject, but diuretics may exacerbate the drop in blood pressure following the trip due to fluid loss. Dehydration or excessive hypotension is possible. It is advisable to stay well hydrated and monitor blood pressure if psilocybin is combined with a diuretic.

Summary: During a psychedelic session, psilocybin causes a temporary and slight increase in blood pressure. Within a few hours, blood pressure returns to normal, and by the following day there is usually no difference from baseline. In clinical settings, only mild, short-lived hypertension was observed in healthy volunteers. Combining psilocybin with antihypertensive medication requires extra caution: the combined effect may cause blood pressure to drop too low as the psilocybin wears off. People with cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension should only consider taking psilocybin under medical supervision.

Sources: Scientific studies and review articles describe these effects. For example, Carhart-Harris et al. and Carbonaro et al. found that psilocybin leads to a short-lived increase in systolic/diastolic blood pressure (on average to approx. 140/80–87 mmHg) which subsides within hours. A recent meta-analysis confirmed that hypertension occurs relatively frequently following psilocybin (RR ≈ 2.3) but that all effects resolved within ~48 hours. There have been no reports of long-term changes in blood pressure during therapeutic sessions. Advice on interactions is largely based on clinical experience and pharmacological considerations.

Below is a comprehensive overview of the effects of psilocybin – the active ingredient in truffles and magic mushrooms – on blood pressure, describing both the initial and subsequent effects and taking into account the accompanying recommendations.

Cardiovascular Effects of Psilocybin

1. Initial Phase: Stimulation and Increased Blood Pressure

• Sympathetic Activation:
  After ingestion, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which activates the serotonin (5-HT) receptors (particularly the 5-HT2A receptor). This stimulation can lead to a temporary activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

  • Result: A slight to moderate increase in blood pressure and heart rate.

  • Context: In controlled research settings, healthy individuals generally experience a slight increase that remains within safe limits.

2. Later Stage: Possible Reduction in Blood Pressure

• Tapering off the stimulating effects:
  Once the effects of psilocybin have worn off, blood pressure may sometimes be lower than normal.

  • Result: This drop in blood pressure can occasionally lead to symptoms such as dizziness and tiredness.

  • Risk factors: This is particularly true in situations where the drop coincides with the effects of other medicines that lower blood pressure. A sharp drop in blood pressure increases the risk of feeling faint or fainting.

Drug Interactions and Risks

1. Combination with blood pressure-lowering medicines

• Example: Beta-blockers
  These medicines lower both blood pressure and heart rate.

  • Risk: Combining it with psilocybin may cause your blood pressure to drop too low. This can lead to dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, confusion and tiredness.

  • Recommendation: It is crucial to consult your doctor before taking psilocybin, particularly if you are already taking medicines such as beta-blockers.

2. Advice on Medication and Health

• Medical Advice:
  People with existing cardiovascular conditions or who are taking medication to lower their blood pressure should take extra care and consult a doctor beforehand.

• Assessment of Cardiac Fitness:
  It is important to check that your heart is in sufficiently good condition before considering a psilocybin session.

Additional Preventive Measures

1. Lifestyle and Diet

• Diet to Lower Blood Pressure:
  Following a diet that helps regulate blood pressure can help prevent extreme fluctuations.

• Avoid Other Substances:
  It is advisable not to consume alcohol or other drugs before or during a psilocybin session, as these may intensify the cardiovascular effects or cause unpredictable interactions.

2. Set and Setting

• Mental and Physical Preparation:
  The environment (setting) and the user’s mental state (set) play an important role in the overall experience. Stress, anxiety or a 'bad trip' can, in themselves, have a negative effect on blood pressure.

Summary

• Acute Effects:
  Psilocybin often causes a temporary rise in blood pressure and heart rate at the start, due to sympathetic stimulation.

• Long-term effects:
  As soon as the effect wears off, blood pressure may fall below normal levels, which can lead to risks such as fainting.

• Drug Interactions:
  Particularly when taken in combination with blood pressure-lowering medicines such as beta-blockers, this drop can lead to low blood pressure, with symptoms such as dizziness, confusion and tiredness.
  Advice: Always consult a doctor before taking psilocybin if you are taking any such medication or if you have any existing cardiovascular problems.

• Preventive Measures:
  A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and avoiding alcohol and other drugs, can help to better manage the effects on blood pressure.

By taking these factors into account and always seeking professional medical advice if in doubt, you can minimise the risks of cardiovascular complications as much as possible whilst using psilocybin.

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in truffles and magic mushrooms, can to raise blood pressure slightly to moderately during a trip. This effect is usually temporary and depends heavily on the dose, emotional intensity of the experience, and the person’s physical health.

The rise in blood pressure is mainly due to the fact that psilocybin (after being converted into psilocin) acts on the 5-HT2A receptors in the brain. This activation not only causes the familiar psychedelic effects, but can also lead to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. In a relaxed setting, this rise is usually mild and harmless, particularly in healthy people.

However, there are a few points to bear in mind:

1. People with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease We must be careful. The use of psilocybin can place an additional strain on the cardiovascular system, particularly in situations where the trip becomes stressful.

2. When using MAO inhibitors (such as those found in psilohuasca or certain types of ayahuasca), there may be a risk of dangerous blood pressure increases increase due to the substance tyramine. This is found in certain foods and is normally broken down by MAO enzymes.

Within the safe environment of truffle-assisted therapy, is no strong MAO inhibitors were used, which minimises the risk of serious blood pressure complications. However, if you have existing heart or blood pressure problems, it is advisable to discuss in advance whether treatment is possible and, if necessary, to make adjustments to the treatment or dosage.

In short: in healthy people, the rise in blood pressure caused by psilocybin is usually mild and temporary. However, if you have high blood pressure or other medical conditions, it is advisable to discuss this first with a specialist or via the intake of Triptherapie to discuss.