This longitudinal community-based cohort study (n=290) investigated whether naturalistic psychedelics use is protective against the development of suicidality, amongst a cohort of marginalized women over a period of four years (2010-2014). Lifetime psychedelics use was associated with a 60% reduced hazard for developing suicidality, whereas crystal meth use and childhood abuse were the strongest independent predictors by comparison.
Abstract
“Objective: This study aimed to longitudinally investigate whether ever having used a psychedelic drug can have a protective effect on incidence of suicidality among marginalised women.
Design: Longitudinal community-based cohort study.
Setting: Data were drawn from a prospective, community-based cohort of marginalised women in Metro Vancouver, Canada.
Participants: 766 women completed the baseline questionnaire between January 2010 and August 2014. Participants who did not report suicidality at baseline and who completed at least one follow-up visit were included.
Main outcome measure: Extended Cox regression was used to model predictors of new suicidality (suicide ideation or attempts) over 54-month follow-up.
Results: Nearly half (46%; n=355) of participants reported prior suicidality and were thus excluded from the present analyses. Of 290 women eligible at baseline, 11% (n=31) reported recent suicidality during follow-up, with an incidence density of 4.42 per 100 person-years (95% CI 3.10 to 6.30). In multivariable analysis, reported lifetime psychedelic drug use was associated with a 60% reduced hazard for suicidality (adjusted HR (AHR) 0.40; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.94). Crystal methamphetamine use (AHR 3.25; 95% CI 1.47 to 7.21) and childhood abuse (AHR 3.54; 95% CI 1.49 to 8.40) remained independent predictors of suicidality.
Conclusion: The high rate of suicidality identified in this study is of major concern. Alongside emerging evidence on the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat some mental illness and addiction issues, our findings demonstrate that naturalistic psychedelic drug use is independently associated with reduced suicidality, while other illicit drug use and childhood trauma predispose women to suicidality. While observational, this study supports calls for further investigation of the therapeutic utility of psychedelic drugs in treating poor mental health and promoting mental wellness.”
Authors: Elena Argento, Steffanie A. Strathdee, Kenneth Tupper, Melissa Braschel, Evan Wood & Kate Shannon
Summary of Does psychedelic drug use reduce risk of suicidality? Evidence from a longitudinal community-based cohort of marginalised women in a Canadian setting
Introduction
Suicide remains a critical public health concern worldwide, and marginalised women, such as sex workers who are street involved or use drugs, experience disproportionately high levels of social and health-related risks and harms.
Studies among street-based sex workers and those who use drugs underscore the associations of social exclusion, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with suicidality. Furthermore, indigenous women are vastly over-represented among street-based sex workers in North America.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016025
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