Psychedelic Drugs May Not Lead to Mental Health Problems

A team of scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, has found that using psychedelic drugs may not be linked to an increased risk of mental problems.

The team of scientists was led by neuroscientist Teri Krebs and clinical psychologist Pål-Ørjan Johansen.
The researchers published the findings of their recent study on the effects of psychedelic drugs in the journal of Psychopharmacology.
In order to come to this conclusion, the scientists analyzed data collected from surveys conducted by the US National Health Survey. The surveys started in 2008 and lasted until 2011.

The data collected by the researchers included over 130,000 adults that were selected on random criteria. Out of the 130,000 participants, almost 20,000 were taking psychedelic drugs.
According to the analysis, those who used psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin mushrooms or LSD did not show an increased risk of developing mental health problems.

The study revealed that the use of psychedelic drugs was linked with fewer cases of mental health problems, on several measures.
Many of the participants have also reported that using psychedelic drugs had beneficial effects on them, as well as giving them deep and meaningful experiences.

However, the researchers did not exclude the fact that some psychedelic drugs may lead to an increase risk of developing mental health issues.

They explained that their findings are relevant enough to conclude that prohibiting psychedelic drugs is not a justified public health measure.

Although health officials have advised against the use of psychedelic drugs, the new study proves that they are not as dangerous for human mental health as it was previously believed.

Johansen explained that because of the limitations and nature of his study, he does not exclude the possibility that psychedelic drugs might affect the mental health.

This type of drugs could be dangerous for some individuals or group of individuals, “perhaps counterbalanced at a population level by a positive effect on mental health in others”, Johansen added.

Many types of psychedelic drugs are prohibited around the world under UN laws, unless these drugs, such as ayahuasca or cannabis, are used for medical or religious purposes.
Image Source: frontpsych

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Christina Langfold

Remember that weird girl in school who never quite managed to fit in? Who was always silent and strange? That was me during my entire teenage life. A few years after finishing college (with a degree in arts) I decided that the best way to become more sociable, while also feeling safe, is to test my people skills online.