SuicidalityAdolescentsOpioid Use Disorder (OUD)Palliative & End-of-Life DistressPublic Health, Prevention & Behaviour ChangeSubstance Use Disorders (SUD)Depressive DisordersAnxiety DisordersLSD

LSD use in the United States: Examining user demographics and their evolution from 2015-2019

Analysing NSDUH data from 2015–2019, the authors found a 47% increase in past‑year LSD use (0.59% to 0.87%) without a proportional rise in hallucinogen use disorder. Use was linked to greater access and lower perceived risk plus specific sociodemographic and behavioural correlates (e.g. Asian race, low income, fewer children, history of selling drugs, past‑year suicide attempt in adults) and rose among pregnant, 26–34‑year‑old, married respondents and lifetime methamphetamine users, suggesting growing societal acceptance though LSD remains uncommon and not a major driver of public‑health harm.

Authors

Brian Barnett

Published

December 26, 2022

MedRvix

individual Study

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Abstract

Background

Lysergic acid (LSD) use has risen in the United States (US) in recent years amid increased interest in therapeutic applications of psychedelics. Despite this, contemporary epidemiological investigations of LSD users are few. To expand the literature on this topic, we sought to characterize past-year LSD users in the US and investigate recent demographic evolution within this population.

Methods

Using National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data from 2015-2019, we investigated correlates of past-year LSD use and associated changes over the study period.

Results

Past-year LSD use increased by 47% from 2015 to 2019 (0.59% to 0.87%). However, among people reporting past-year hallucinogen use disorder there was no significant proportional increase in LSD users. Notable correlates of LSD use on multivariable analysis were: increased LSD access, lower perceived risk of trying LSD, Asian race, low income, fewer children in the home, history of ever selling drugs, being approached by someone selling drugs in the past month, lack of influence of religious beliefs on decision-making, and past-year suicide attempt among people age 18 and older. We found no associations with unemployment, arrest history, past-year psychological distress, or sexually transmitted infections. From 2015 to 2019, the proportion of respondents reporting past-year LSD use who were pregnant, age 26-34, and married increased. Past-year LSD use among lifetime users of methamphetamine also rose.

Conclusions

Though still uncommonly used in the US, LSD’s societal acceptance may be increasing. Overall, LSD does not appear to contribute significantly to the country’s public health problems. Highlights: - For the last few years, NSDUH data has shown an increase in LSD use - Despite this, rates of reported hallucinogen use disorder have not proportionally increased - Evidence shows increasing societal acceptance for LSD use - The proportion of respondents reporting past-year LSD use who were pregnant, age 26-34, and married increased - Past-year LSD use among lifetime users of methamphetamine also rose

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Research Summary of 'LSD use in the United States: Examining user demographics and their evolution from 2015-2019'

Introduction

Weleff and colleagues situate their study in the context of a documented upward trend in LSD use in the United States and renewed public and scientific interest in psychedelic therapies. Earlier clinical research suggested possible therapeutic applications of LSD for conditions such as alcohol and opioid use disorders and cancer-associated psychological distress, but human research largely ceased after LSD became illegal in 1971. Recent decades have seen a revival of psychedelic research and some local decriminalisation efforts, but contemporary epidemiological descriptions of LSD users are limited. The paper therefore aims to characterise past-year LSD users in the US using nationally representative survey data from 2015 to 2019 and to examine how user demographics and correlates of use have changed across that period. The objective is to identify demographic, behavioural, and attitudinal factors associated with past-year use and to evaluate temporal trends within the user population.