afib, ablation and psychedelics

[TomTomorrow]

I had a very successful ablation for my long term afib four years ago, and have not had any incident of afib since then. I am interested in using psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, MDMA) as part of my spiritual exploration, but I can’t find any information about possible risks of triggering an afib episode by using any of these. Does anyone have any experience or information about this?

[stoneyrosed]

Everyone is different when it comes to AF, one thing is certain though, you’re taking a big gamble. Don’t get me wrong I was interested in a trip to Peru to go on a psilocybin “ trip” myself but the thought of the strain on the heart with such a powerful drug convinced me to let it rest. Hope it goes well with whatever you decide to do.

[Rainfern]

This might be a better starting point…

imperial.ac.uk/psychedelic-...

Otherwise there are spiritual practices that with a bit application can get you somewhere similar without the risk.

[ozziebob in reply to Rainfern]

Which includes this interesting project in which you can enrol, even if resident outside London ... survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90496...

... and involving, as Principal Investigator, none less than the famous Professor David Nutt.

[lawspear]

simple, don’t.

[ozziebob]

I just referred, in my Reply to Rainfern above, to an ICL project currently offered on one aspect of the therapeutic use of psychedelics. I would suggest you use the contact details in my link to try to email Dr David Nutt (at ICL) the co-lead researcher on this project. He is actually a world-leading expert in such matters, having devoted his life to research on psychedelics. I would suggest he might be best placed to answer your questions about how such drugs might affect your physiology, and your heart particularly.

Anyway, that's what I would do. You never know you might get the insight you need.

Good luck.

[Tesheron]

Tom, I have a history of paroxysmal AFib going back about 5 years. I control it with medications. A couple of years ago I had an opportunity to attend a ketamine workshop. The facilitator who was an MD gave me the okay when he learned I hadn't had any episodes for 3 years. I was okay but he wasn't a cardiologist. That said I have also been trained as a psilocybin facilitator in Oregon and I can tell you that generally people who have a history of cardiovascular issues are advised to abstain. These substances tend to significantly increase heart rate. On top of that strong emotions generated by The Experience itself could further increase the heart rate. This is especially true with MDMA which is basically an amphetamine. Ditto to some of the other replies in this thread that it would be safer to pursue your explorations through more traditional spiritual practices.