Associations between lifetime classic psychedelic use and cardiometabolic diseases

This observational survey study (n=752.374) investigated the relationship between lifetime classic psychedelic use and cardiometabolic diseases and found that lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a 23% lower odds of heart disease and a 12% lower odds of diabetes in the past year.

Abstract

“Introduction: The objective of the current study was to investigate the associations between lifetime classic psychedelic use and cardiometabolic diseases.

Methods: Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005-2014), the present study examined the associations between lifetime classic psychedelic use and two types of cardiometabolic disease: heart disease and diabetes.

Results: Respondents who reported having tried a classic psychedelic at least once in their lifetime had lower odds of heart disease in the past year (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.77 (0.65-0.92), p = .006) and lower odds of diabetes in the past year (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.88 (0.78-0.99), p = .036).

Discussion: Classic psychedelic use might be beneficial for cardiometabolic health, but more research is needed to investigate potential causal pathways of classic psychedelics on cardiometabolic diseases.”

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