Adverse Mental Health Effects of Psychedelics | Are Psychedelics Mentally Dangerous?
-Transcript-
Research on psychedelic use in the 1960s did find some adverse mental health effects. Researchers found that 0.4 - 1.2 per 1000 research participants showed psychotic reactions lasting more than 48 hours. They described “Fear, a prolonged sense of dread, or full panic.” But, these researchers found no evidence that psychedelics cause long-term negative effects to mental health
Modern studies have more stringent policies when it comes to participation selection in psychedelic trials. Clinical studies screen-out anyone at risk of bipolar, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders. Therefore, there are far fewer cases of negative mental health effects. But it is difficult to scientifically prove how the substances effect people with bipolar, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders.
Using 2001–2004 data drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), Krebs and Johansen (2013) recently evaluated possible associations between lifetime use of psychedelics and current mental health in the U.S. adult population. In a large sample of respondents, 13.4% reported lifetime psychedelic use. No significant associations were found between lifetime use of any psychedelic or past-year use of LSD and increased rate of any mental health outcome. Surprisingly, in several cases, use of psychedelics was associated with a lower rate of mental health disorder.
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