Personality and Drug Use (PDU)

This observational, naturalistic study (n=1000), conducted by the Psychedelic Data Society (with the Quantified Citizen app), is set to explore the relationship between substance use and personality profiles.

Specifically, it aims to discern if individuals with varying histories of drug use, including psychedelic and non-psychedelic substances, exhibit distinct personality traits. The study utilises the Big Five Inventory-44 (BFI) and a self-created Retrospective Personality Scale (RPS) to measure current personality profiles and perceived retrospective personality changes.

It targets a diverse global audience through a mobile app-based survey, ensuring accessibility and participant anonymity. Results will be shared with participants, offering personalised summaries compared against aggregated data from similar demographic profiles.

This extensive, budget-friendly study aims to fill the knowledge gap in this field, laying the groundwork for future research. The Psychedelic Data Society, in collaboration with Maastricht University and Quantified Citizen Technologies, aims to commence this study in November 2022 and conclude by November 2023 (but is now past the due date).

Topic Personality
Country United States of America
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Trial Details



Trial Number

Sponsors & Collaborators

Quantified Citizen
Quantified Citizen is enabling large-scale correlational studies of which one is focussed on microdosing.

Maastricht University
Maastricht University is host to the psychopharmacology department (Psychopharmacology in Maastricht) where various researchers are investigating the effects of psychedelics.

Measures Used

Big Five
Big Five personality traits is a suggested grouping for personality traits | The theory behind the traits is one of many trait theories of personality

Data attribution

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