A break from the insanity: Psychedelic Drugs Linked to Lower Risk of Mental Illness

[GliderGuider]

Psychedelic Drugs Linked to Lower Risk of Mental Illness

According to a new study published on PLOS One, there is no link between the use of psychedelic drugs—specifically LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, and peyote—and a range of mental health problems. In fact, the study reports, psychedelic use is associated with a lower risk of mental health problems like psychosis, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and general psychological distress.

Examining data on more than 130,000 Americans in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's Department of Neuroscience found that the use of psychedelic drugs not only doesn’t contribute to mental illness, but also may actually have a protective effect against it.

They found that people who used psilocybin or mescaline throughout their lives, as well as people who used LSD in the past year, had lower rates of serious psychological distress, outpatient mental health treatment, and prescriptions for psychiatric medications.

“Early speculation that psychedelics might lead to mental health problems was based on a small number of case reports and did not take into account either the widespread use of psychedelics or the not infrequent rate of mental health problems in the general population,” Krebs said. “Over the past 50 years, tens of millions of people have used psychedelics and there just is not much evidence of long-term problems.”

The study also mentions that many people report deeply meaningful experiences and lasting beneficial effects from psychedelic use.

Link to the study: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0063972

[longship]

1. Far out, man! nt

Oh! R&K

[burnodo]

2. I am a hippie (hippy?)

who has never taken anything strong than mushrooms, and that was YEARS ago

[GliderGuider]

3. Yes, it's "hippie"

And, um, no comment...

[Kolesar]

4. My classmate lost his mind after heavy use of LSD in his teens

He has been taken to the local mental hospital for dosing of sedatives or tranquilizers on a few occasions.

Scant use of mushrooms sounds like fun, though. This story was on DU before.

[GliderGuider]

6. Probably not this same study, unless it was within the last few days

It's listed in the PDF as being published on August 19th this year.

On the other hand, there are more and more studies coming out all saying the same thing. Just keeping the drumbeat going.

The one person I knew who had troubles after a trip had troubles before it as well. Compared to the hundreds I knew who had either transcendental experiences or just had fun, psychedelics just didn't produce a very high casualty rate. Certainly nothing like the cocaine that followed them, not to mention the alcohol...

[madokie]

5. Done 'm all

30 some odd years ago
'shrooms are the best in my book.
Peyote was pretty happening too.
Never laughed so hard as I did watching blazing saddles when it first came out tripping on peyote.

[bhikkhu]

7. For a short period, living alone, I had access to some very good LSD

...and I have to say, there was nothing like watching movies on acid! Worst experience was having to go in the other room to answer the phone, then getting lost for about a half hour coming back. Overall it was great fun and a very mind-building and enlightening experience, though I never took enough to hallucinate.

Then my supply dried up, and I've never taken it since...I don't use any drugs, drink, or smoke or even use caffeine now, but LSD is the one drug I'd probably enjoy again, if there was any to be found.

[madokie]

8. I enjoyed LSD too

in small doses rather than in a full blown trip. been so many years ago. I'm not sure I could try any of them today though, more than likely I couldn't. I'm happy being straight now.

[NightWatcher]

9. A "family member" back from Afg/Iraq had PTSD

Stories started circulating that vets were self medicating with mushrooms. The last I heard of him was that he was better enough to get a job and live back out on his own.

[kelliekat44]

10. How can they tell? nt

[dionysus]

11. a good trip always mellowed me put fpr a long period of time. even on those few occasions

I had a bad trip, I was fine the next day.