Hopelessness, Suicidality, and Co-Occurring Substance Use among Adolescent Hallucinogen Users—A National Survey Study

This analysis of survey data (n=125k, 8.4% psychedelic users) of US adolescents finds psychedelic users more likely to feel sad or hopeless, suicidal, and have higher use of other substances (alcohol, cigarette, ecstasy, etc.). Over the period of the survey (2001-2019), fewer adolescents were using psychedelics (from 13-7%).

Abstract

“Objectives: Hallucinogens are being explored as a potential treatment of psychiatric disorders. Microdosing of illicitly purchased hallucinogen drugs is on the rise despite conclusive benefits. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and odds of hopelessness, suicidality, and co-occurring substance use among adolescent hallucinogen users.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) 2001–2019 data that nationally represents school-going US adolescents. We identified hallucinogen use based on the survey questions, exploring the use of hallucinogens (LSD, PCP, mescaline, and mushrooms).

Results: Out of a total of 125,550 respondents, 8.4% reported using hallucinogens. Overall, the trend of hallucinogen use decreased from 13.3% (2001) to 7.0% (2019) (pTrend < 0.0001). Hallucinogen users were at high odds of feeling sad and hopeless (aOR: 1.40; 95%CI: 1.21–1.61; p < 0.0001), considering suicide (aOR: 1.36; 95%CI: 1.08–1.70; p = 0.009), and planning suicide (aOR: 1.49; 95%CI: 1.19–1.86; p = 0.001). Additionally, adolescent hallucinogen users had a higher prevalence of alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, inhalants, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy use.

Conclusions: The overall trend of hallucinogen use decreased among school-going American adolescents. We found a high prevalence of co-occurring substance use among hallucinogen users. We found that hallucinogen users were at high odds of feeling sad, hopeless, and considering and planning suicide. Further research is needed to explore the effects of recreational hallucinogen use among the adolescent population.“

Authors: Saral Desai, Vidisha Jain, Sona Xavier & Wei Du

Summary of Hopelessness, Suicidality, and Co-Occurring Substance Use among Adolescent Hallucinogen Users

In the 1960s, hallucinogens were categorized into two categories: serotonergic classic hallucinogens (psychedelics) and dissociative anaesthetics. Despite promising results in psychiatry and neuroscience, psychedelic use was stopped in the 1970s for human research.

Hallucinogen [psychedelic] research has increased over the past decade, mainly psilocybin-related research. Multiple studies have found that hallucinogen use is associated with decreased psychological distress in cancer patients, decreased depressive symptoms, and improved addictive behaviours.

Hallucinogens are often used as club drugs amongst young Americans because they cause “trips”. Psilocybin, mescaline, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are commonly used classical hallucinogens.