Association Between Lifetime Classic Psychedelic Use and Hypertension in the Past Year

This analysis of survey data found a correlation between the lifetime use of tryptamines (DMT, psilocybin) and hypertension. This link wasn’t found with phenethylamines.

Abstract

“Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005-2014), weighted to be representative of the US adult population, the present study investigated the association between lifetime classic psychedelic use and hypertension in the past year among adults in the United States. The results showed that respondents who reported having used a classic psychedelic at least once in their lifetime had significantly lower odds of hypertension in the past year after adjusting for several potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio, 0.86 [0.81-0.91]; P<0.0001). Notably, when analyzing the associations between hypertension in the past year and lifetime use of the main classes of classic psychedelics, namely tryptamines (N,N-dimethyltryptamine, ayahuasca, and psilocybin), lysergic acid diethylamide (a lysergamide), and phenethylamines (mescaline, peyote, and San Pedro), only the association with lifetime tryptamine use was significant (adjusted odds ratio, 0.80 [0.73-0.89]; P=0.0001). Though these associations are novel, rigorous randomized controlled trials are warranted to investigate potential causal pathways of classic psychedelics on blood pressure.“

Authors: Otto Simonsson, Peter S. Hendricks, Robin L. Carhart-Harris, Hannes Kettner & Walter Osika

Summary

The prevalence and costs of hypertension are rising worldwide, and several modifiable risk factors contribute to its development. Additionally, chronic stress, internalizing disorders such as depression, anxiety, and addiction, and low-grade inflammation are important factors in the pathophysiology of hypertension.

Research suggests that classic psychedelic-mediated experiences can be effective in the treatment of internalizing disorders, including depression, and can have favorable effects on cardiovascular risk factors.

There are 3 main classes of classic psychedelics: tryptamines, lysergamides, and phenethylamines. Tryptamines have the greatest therapeutic potential with regard to mental health, while lysergamides may have a negative effect on heart rate and blood pressure.

The present study investigated the association between lifetime classic psychedelic use and hypertension in the past year. Tryptamine had the strongest association with hypertension among the main classes of classic psychedelics.

Data and Population

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is a nationally representative survey in the United States, conducted annually in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Which, if Any, of These Conditions Did a Doctor or Other Medical Professional Tell You That You Had in the Past 12 Months?

The independent variable was lifetime classic psychedelic use, and the dependent variables included age, sex, ethnoracial identity, educational attainment, annual household income, marital status, self-reported engagement in risky behavior, and lifetime use of cocaine.

To date, the long-term effects of classic psychedelics on blood pressure remain unknown. However, lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with lower odds of hypertension in the past year.

Statistical Analyses

The present study used weighted descriptive statistics to compare baseline characteristics of lifetime classic psychedelic users with nonlifetime classic psychedelic users and examined the association between lifetime classic psychedelic use and hypertension in the past year.

The analyses were conducted using Stata, version 16, and weights provided by the NSDUH were used to control for potential sources of confounding.

Descriptive Statistics

Lifetime classic psychedelic use was more common among middle-aged adults, men, non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Native Americans/Alaska Natives, individuals with greater educational attainment and income, and individuals with greater self-reported engagement in risky behavior.

The prevalence of hypertension among respondents who had ever used a classic psychedelic was 67 percent, and that prevalence was 56% among respondents who had never used a tryptamine.

Regression Models

Table 3 shows that lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a 14% lower odds of hypertension in the past year, but only lifetime tryptamine use was significantly associated with hypertension.

Robustness Checks

The association between lifetime classic psychedelic use and hypertension in the past year was broadly similar among those with and without a history of mental health history, and the association remained broadly unchanged when recency of classic psychedelic use was included in the regression model.

DISCUSSION

The present study investigated the association between lifetime classic psychedelic use and hypertension in the past year. The results showed that lifetime use of tryptamines was the only significant factor.

The results of the current study suggest a link between classic psychedelic use and long-term trends in hypertension. However, caution should be exercised in inferring causality.

All percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.1%. Lifetime depression and lifetime anxiety were included as covariates in the robustness checks.

Lifetime use of tryptamine was the strongest association with lower risk of hypertension in the past year among the three classes of classic psychedelics, with rigorous randomized controlled trials needed to better test cause-and-effect relationships.

The study design was limited by its cross-sectional design and lack of information on the set and setting of classic psychedelic use. Additionally, the dependent variable was derived from an indirectly referred opinion from a physician or other medical professional, which could have biased the results.

Conclusions

There has been extensive research on prevention and treatment of hypertension, including multiple interventions designed to address modifiable risk factors. However, the effects of classic psychedelics on hypertension remain largely unknown.

Perspectives

The results showed that lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a 14% lower odds of hypertension in the past year, after adjusting for age, sex, ethnoracial identity, educational attainment, annual household income, marital status, self-reported engagement in risky behavior, and age of first alcohol use.

Researchers found that tryptamine use was associated with lower blood pressure in the past year.

Acknowledgments

O. Simonsson conceived of the study, cleaned data, conducted analyses, and drafted the manuscript. R. Carhart-Harris, H. Kettner, P.S. Hendricks, and W. Osika contributed meaningful expertise and guidance on methodology and statistical analyses.