Effects of Naturalistic Psychedelic Use on Depression, Anxiety, and Well-Being: Associations With Patterns of Use, Reported Harms, and Transformative Mental States

Abstract

Survey-based studies suggest naturalistic psychedelic use provides mental health benefits similar to those observed in clinical trials. The current study sought to confirm these findings in a large group of psychedelic users and to conduct a novel examination of associations between amount of psychedelic use and behavioral outcomes, as well as frequency of harms ascribed to psychedelic use. A cross-sectional, online survey was completed by 2,510 adults reporting at least one lifetime psychedelic experience. Participants retrospectively completed a battery of instruments assessing depression, anxiety, and emotional well-being prior to and following psychedelic exposure. Participants also reported preferred psychedelic agent, number of uses, and harms attributed to psychedelic use. Psychedelic use was associated with significant improvements in depressive and anxious symptoms and with increased emotional well-being. These improvements increased in magnitude with increasing psychedelic exposure, with a ceiling effect. However, improvements were noted following a single lifetime use. Strong evidence for benefit of one preferred psychedelic agent over another was not observed, but enduring increases in factors related to mystical-experience and prosocial perspective taking associated with enhanced mental health. Thirteen percent of the survey sample (n = 330) endorsed at least one harm from psychedelic use, and these participants reported less mental health benefit. Results from the current study add to a growing database indicating that psychedelic use—even outside the context of clinical trials—may provide a wide range of mental health benefits, while also posing some risk for harm in a minority of individuals.

Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested

“…For these reasons, patients with a personal or family history of mental illness as well as those with significant health issues are currently excluded from psychedelic therapy ( Nutt and Carhart-Harris, 2021 ). It is important to be aware of these potential risks when making decisions surrounding the suitability of psychedelic-induced STEs to support ecological wellbeing in future studies ( Raison et al, 2022 ). The other three varieties of STE that we have discussed are legal, carry fewer risks and are thus more socially acceptable.…”

“…Growing research interest on psychedelics has led to an accumulation of evidence in recent years showing their potential to actively support human health outcomes ( dos Santos et al, 2016 ; Johnson and Griffiths, 2017 ; Johnson et al, 2019 ; Raison et al, 2022 ). Psychedelic substances have been shown to have treatment potential for physical health problems such as alcoholism ( Hoffer, 1967 ; Dyck, 2006 ; Bogenschutz et al, 2015 ) and cluster headaches ( Sewell et al, 2006 ) as well as mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anorexia ( Bogenschutz et al, 2015 ; dos Santos et al, 2016 ; Patra, 2016 ; Ross et al, 2016 ; Sanches et al, 2016 ; Roseman et al, 2018 ), among others.…”

The economics of psychedelic-assisted therapies: A research agenda

“…Utility is thus not equipped to reflect sustained, enhanced access to such positive experiences as awe, compassion, self-efficacy, and affinity with nature. These states, which may persist long beyond the acute effects, are reported as a result of ingestion of psychedelic materials in both clinical and naturalistic settings (74)(75)(76). Because positive cognitive states are not restricted to exposure to psychedelics, this innovation has implications for health economic evaluation generally.…”

Psychedelics: Their Limited Understanding and Future in the Treatment of Chronic Pain

“…Psychedelic drugs are potent and have long-lasting effects that may help people in their daily lives. Psychedelics use was associated with significant improvements in depressive and anxious symptoms and increased emotional wellbeing [ 11 ]. Evidence is available that psychedelic treatment can be beneficial for chronic pain.…”