Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Shroom for concern: a case of psychedelic mushroom-induced acute kidney injuryPsilocybe cubensis mushrooms are typically not consumed for their nutritional value.The main reason people ingest these mushrooms is for their psychoactive effects.Recently, there has been growing interest in the potential therapeutic applications of psilocybin-containing mushrooms in a range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol dependence and tobacco dependence.Here, we present a case in which ingestion of psilocybin-containing mushrooms was the presumed cause of acute kidney injury (AKI).A man in his early thirties presented with acute bilateral flank pain 48 h following recreational ingestion of 0.5 g of psilocybin-containing mushrooms in dry whole form.He experienced the desired and expected hallucinogenic effects upon initial consumption.He developed a non-oliguric AKI with a peak serum creatinine of 189 μmol/L, elevated from a known baseline of 83 μmol/L.Urinalysis demonstrated an elevated albumin-creatinine ratio (40.4 mg/mmol) and bland urinary sediment.Non-contrast computed tomography of the kidneys, ureter and bladder was unremarkable.A comprehensive work-up for glomerulonephritis was negative.Serum electrolytes remained within normal limits, and there was no peripheral eosinophilia.Liver function tests were unremarkable apart from a borderline elevation in aspartate aminotransferase at 39 U/L, and serum lipase was mildly elevated at 82 U/L.A creatine kinase was normal at 155 U/L.No alternative nephrotoxic exposures or contributing factors were identified on detailed clinical history.More specifically, he had no symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea that may have contributed to a state of dehydration.Physical examination was unremarkable, with no costovertebral angle tenderness and evidence of clinical euvolaemia.The patient received supportive management with intravenous fluids, resulting in resolution of flank pain within 48 h.Serum creatinine improved to 136 μmol/L by day 4, so a kidney biopsy was not pursued.At 1 month follow-up, renal function had fully recovered, with his serum creatinine returning to 85 μmol/L.Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are primarily associated with transient neuropsychiatric effectsaltered mood, perception and cognitionemerging within 20-40 min of ingestion and resolving within 6 h.While not traditionally associated with nephrotoxicity, it is
Source: Internal Medicine Journal
DOI: 10.1111/imj.70313
Authors: M. Lam, C. Khor, S. Hultin, J. J. Cheung, N. A. Shah
Institutions: Sutherland Hospital, UNSW Sydney, Prince of Wales Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7119893738