This survey study (n>480,000) found that lifetime psychedelic use was associated with reduced likelihood of a variety of antisocial criminal behaviors, whereas lifetime use of other drugs was commonly associated with increased likelihood of these behaviors.
Abstract
“Criminal behavior exacts a large toll on society and is resistant to intervention. Some evidence suggests classic psychedelics may inhibit criminal behavior, but the extent of these effects has not been comprehensively explored. In this study, we tested the relationships of classic psychedelic use and psilocybin use per se with criminal behavior among over 480,000 United States adult respondents pooled from the last 13 available years of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002 through 2014) while controlling for numerous covariates. Lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a reduced odds of past year larceny/theft (aOR = 0.73 (0.65–0.83)), past year assault (aOR = 0.88 (0.80–0.97)), past year arrest for a property crime (aOR = 0.78 (0.65–0.95)), and past year arrest for a violent crime (aOR = 0.82 (0.70–0.97)). In contrast, lifetime illicit use of other drugs was, by and large, associated with an increased odds of these outcomes. Lifetime classic psychedelic use, like lifetime illicit use of almost all other substances, was associated with an increased odds of past year drug distribution. Results were consistent with a protective effect of psilocybin for antisocial criminal behavior. These findings contribute to a compelling rationale for the initiation of clinical research with classic psychedelics, including psilocybin, in forensic settings.”
Authors: Peter S. Hendricks, Michael Scott Crawford, Karen L. Cropsey, Heith Copes, N. Wiles Sweat, Zach Walsh & Gregory Pavela
Summary
Interventions to prevent criminal behavior include employment programs, cognitive-behavioral approaches, Moral Reconation Therapy, and specialty programs targeting juvenile offenders. These interventions have small effects, and few individuals complete treatment.
A study was conducted to examine the relationships of lifetime classic psychedelic use with past year criminal behavior. Psilocybin use was also examined to help inform decisions by the United States Food and Drug Administration regarding future approved use.
Data and methods
A cross-sectional survey of the United States civilian non-institutionalized population was conducted to estimate the prevalence of substance use and mental illness. Adult respondents were pooled across years 2002 through 2014 for the present research.
Classic psychedelic use
Respondents who reported ever using ayahuasca, DMT, LSD, mescaline, peyote or San Pedro, or psilocybin mushrooms were coded as positive for lifetime classic psychedelic use.
We statistically adjusted for a range of measured variables including age, sex, ethnoracial identity, educational attainment, annual household income, marital status, employment status, and self-reported engagement in risky behavior. The degree to which religious beliefs influence decisions, lifetime illicit use of cocaine, other stimulants, sedatives, tranquilizers, heroin, pain relievers, marijuana, 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)/ecstasy, phencyclidine (PCP), and inhalants were all included in the analyses.
Statistical analyses
We used generalized ordered logit regression and binomial logistic regression to test the relationships of classic psychedelic use and group membership with past year drug distribution, past year larceny/theft, and past year assault.
The Non-Psilocybin Psychedelics Only group was more likely to report lifetime illicit use of tranquilizers, pain relievers, marijuana, MDMA/Ecstasy, and inhalants.
Outcomes
Results from generalized ordered logistic regression models indicate that lifetime classic psychedelic use is associated with an increased odds of past year drug distribution. Lifetime use of all illicit substances was associated with increased odds of past year drug distribution, increased odds of past year larceny/theft, and increased odds of past year assault, with the exception of lifetime cocaine, other stimulant, and heroin use, which were not significantly associated with this outcome.
The Psilocybin Only group was less likely to report past year drug distribution, larceny/theft and assault than the No Psychedelics and Non-Psilocybin Psychedelics Only groups, but the Psilocybin & Other Psychedelics group was more likely to report past year larceny/theft than the Psilocybin Only group.
The Psilocybin Only group did not differ from the Non-Psilocybin Psychedelics Only group on past year larceny/theft or past year assault.
Results show that lifetime classic psychedelic use was not associated with past year arrest for a drug-related crime, past year arrest for a property crime, or past year arrest for a violent crime.
The replication and extension of prior findings is notable considering that scientific findings often fail to be replicated. Moreover, the results are consistent across the complementary criteria of self-reported criminal behavior and arrest, suggesting that the apparent protective effects are attributable to genuine reductions in anti-social behavior. Given the cost to society and recalcitrance of criminal behavior, the potential for classic psychedelic-assisted treatment is significant. However, individual autonomy in the decision to engage in psychedelic-assisted treatment must be foregrounded.
Lifetime use of classic psychedelics was not associated with past year arrest for a drug-related crime, whereas lifetime use of almost all other substances was. This finding suggests that classic psychedelic use is not associated with a uniform reduction in all behavior deemed criminal.
We hypothesized that lifetime use of psilocybin would be associated with a decreased likelihood of past year criminal behavior, but the results show that it is not.
Conclusion
The current study demonstrates that having ever used a classic psychedelic may decrease the likelihood of committing larceny/theft and other property crimes, as well as assault and other violent crimes.