Homicides associated with psychedelic use: Psychiatric features, risk factors and sentencing outcomes

The relationship between homicide and psychosis resulting from intoxication with certain drugs, especially methamphetamine, has been studied extensively. Homicides related to psychedelic-associated psychosis, however, remain underexamined. Drawing from a data set of homicides committed while under the influence of psychedelics (n = 626), this study presents a case series of 22 offenders selected for variety in terms of offender, victim and situational characteristics and the particular psychedelics involved. Psychotic symptoms triggered by psychedelic use seemed evident in the majority of cases. Suspected risk factors such as personal or family history of psychosis were largely absent or unavailable, though some offenders had past incidents of psychedelic-associated psychosis. Sentences ranged from no prison time to life in prison and US offenders had far higher sentences. Policy lessons include, among others, the need for prompt emergency responses to substance-associated psychosis and the importance of abstinence for those with prior psychotic symptoms during psychedelic use.