Comparing Mental Health across Distinct Groups of Users of Psychedelics, MDMA, Psychostimulants, and Cannabis

Abstract

Differences in mental health (MH) of users of distinct psychoactive substances have been shown. Both substance use (SU) and MH in users is influenced by stressful life events. This study compared MH parameters in distinct groups of substance users and evaluated the impact of stress factors on these outcomes. Data stem from the longitudinal Swiss Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF) involving 4,475 young adult men. Distinct groups were created for the past 12 months use of psychedelics, MDMA, psychostimulants, and cannabis. MH measurements (depressive symptoms, overall MH, perceived stress, life satisfaction) were used as outcome variables, while indicators of past family functioning and stressful life events served as covariates. The MH of psychedelics users was not significantly different from the no-drug use group, whereas poorer MH was found in the other SU groups. Observed effects were influenced by the tested stress factors. The absence of association between use of psychedelics and worsening of MH deserves further investigation in male and female samples. Stressful life experiences must be considered when assessing the MH of users of illicit substances. These findings suggest that some men practice SU as selfmedication to cope with life adversity.

Consciousness alterations in a cohort of young Swiss men: Associations with substance use and personality traits

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“…Cannabis is predominantly seen as a safe drug in Western societies [ 8 ]. Life satisfaction and stress do not seem to predict the initiation, cessation, or severity of cannabis use in young adults [ 9 , 10 ]; however, research indicates a higher prevalence of various mental health symptoms in cannabis users, such as depression, anxiety [ 10 - 13 ], and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, with increased severity in certain populations such as those in the Czech Republic and France [ 14 - 16 ].…”

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“…While the positive long term therapeutic effects of psychedelics have been relatively well attended to since the resurgence of clinical psychedelic research ( Rougemont-Bücking et al, 2019 ), their role in intergroup dynamics is less understood. Psychedelics, serotonergic hallucinogens, induce an altered state of consciousness commonly framed as powerful modifications to perception and mood lasting several minutes to 24 hours, or even more, depending on what is consumed, how much, and the method of ingestion.…”