An e-mail conversation about hallucinogen use and spinal cord injuries...

Hey tripzine,

I had a spinal cord injury 24 years ago (my medical diagnosis is C4 quadriplegia) and I'm interested in any research concerning hallucinogens such as shrooms, acid, dmt etc...and spinal cord injury. I've taken LSD and shrooms both before and after my injury with totally different results. Taking L after my injury caused way too many jerky muscle spasms along with a perceived rise in my body temperature which made my trip interesting yet annoying. I think the dose was 60mcg, and I wasn't that sure of the quality. All I know is that my trip was a far cry from my other journeys when I was able-bodied, which BTW where few and far between.

Any info would be much appreciated and if you know of any studies concerning hallucinogens around the Orange County or southern California area give a shout.

Mike

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Hey Mike,

A question: Were the muscle spasms in areas of your body where you have lost mobility, or all over the place? One theory is that your spinal cord injury caused a degeneration of neural signal to various muscle tissues, which then become more excitable due to the loss of signal. The application of LSD onto the receptors of suppressed firing tissue (such as muscles or nerves) could conceivably cause them to twitch, spasm, or fire. Hallucinogens also often cause body temperature irregularities. The feeling of rising body temperature (feeling uncomfortably hot) is generally due to serotonin syndrome, which is when there is an oversupply of serotonin in the brain and blood stream. I don't know why you would notice this now as opposed to before, unless there are some basic motor functions (like walking around, jumping, dancing, etc.) that help alleviate this kind of internal build-up that you can no longer perform.

My short answer to your question would be that since the accident, you body and brain has areas of tissue that are not used anymore and are either atrophied or slightly out of step with the rest of your body. However, when the cortex fires up on LSD, a lot of the old motor pathways that are no longer used can still become excitable, which may lead to spasms or jerkiness of sorts. Either that, or hallucinogens require a kind of rudimentary feedback with the peripheral nervous system to keep the trip in equilibrium. If that feedback loop is broken or degraded, then the chances for neural misfiring go up. But that is just speculation.

I don't know of any studies in this area, but if I hear anything more about hallucinogens and spinal damage I will be sure to get back with you.

James

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James,

Thanks so much for your quick reply and noteworthy speculations concerning hallucinogens and spinal cord injury. Your thoughts about my muscle spasms are spot on, all of my spasm increase happened below the level of injury. BTW, it seems as though every quad or para I've talked to, from hardcore gangbangers to spacey 'whatever' dudes such as myself, had extremely uncomfortable muscle spasms below the level of injury, resulting in problematic journeys. In my case I never blasted off the ground.

Muscle spasms can occur in a person with a spinal cord injury any time the body is stimulated below the level of injury. This is usually noticeable when a muscle is stretched, or there is a painful stimulant below the level of injury. Because of the injury to the spinal cord, these sensations can trigger the reflex resulting in the muscle to contract or spasm.

Almost anything can trigger spasticity. Some things, however, can make spasticity more of a problem. A bladder infection or kidney infection will often cause spasticity to increase a great deal. A skin breakdown will also increase spasms. In a person who does not perform regular range of motion exercises, muscles and joints become less flexible and almost any minor stimulation can cause severe spasticity.

Some spasticity may always be present. The best way to manage or reduce excessive spasms is to perform a daily range of motion exercise program. Avoiding situations such as bladder infections, skin breakdowns, or injuries to the feet and legs will also reduce spasticity. There are three primary medications used to treat spasticity, baclofen, Valium, and Dantrium. All have some side effects and do not completely eliminate spasticity.

I must look into body heat, real or perceived, and the serotonin connection. One not so small tidbit I didn't mention was the fact of not having the patience to wait a week in order to clear out the Zoloft in me. Once I got my grubby paws on the mcgs I could hardly wait till morning= empty stomach. The Zoloft probably guarded me against even a low end therapeutic dose, correct? Whatever the cause, the jerky spasms and nagging body heat kept me from enjoying a quick dip into Pineal Pond.

Hopefully, before I step on thru, I will get a chance to trip in a conscious raising therapeutic atmosphere.

Mike

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Mike,

Thank you for all the interesting info on the use of psychedelics with a spinal cord injury. Your personal insights into this matter are extremely enlightening. I was basically guessing at what was going on in my reply, but after reading your note it all made a little more sense. The fact that spasticity is related to bladder infections is interesting, since LSD and mushrooms tend to excite the bladder and make it feel like you have to go pee a lot (like a bladder infection). The skin condition is interesting as well, I did not know that could cause spasticity, but it makes sense. Itching without being able to scratch may activate the same kind of automatic muscle response that having to "hold it" when you have to pee does. I will take a look at this more closely when I get the chance.

I would guess that doing psychedelics after a long physical therapy session would be the way to go. If the muscles are tired they will probably resist twitching more. You might also want to try experimenting with a small amount of a somatic dissociative (like Ketamine) to keep your muscles and motor cortex quiet while the rest of your brain goes off. K is good for diminishing body awareness when taken in combination with other psychedelics. As always, you should start small and see what you feel comfortable with. It is not for everyone, and can also become addictive if you use it frequently, so there are downsides to this approach as well.

As for the Zoloft, that could account for a rise in serotonin-related body temperature issues. Best to wait two weeks after quitting mood meds before attempting a psychedelic session.

Take care,

James