MDMA/ecstasy use and psilocybin use are associated with lowered odds of psychological distress and suicidal thoughts in a sample of US adults
This survey study (n=484,732) found that MDMA use was associated with reduced odds of suicidal thoughts in the past year. Lifetime psilocybin use was associated with reduced odds of past year psychological distress and past-year suicidal thoughts. LSD was associated with increased odds of past-year suicidal thinking.
Authors
- George Jones
- Matthew Nock
Published
Abstract
Background
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and rates within the United States have risen over the past two decades. Hence, there is a critical need for novel tools to treat suicidal ideation and related mental health conditions. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)/ecstasy and classic psychedelics may be two such tools.
Aims
The aim of this study was to assess non-causal associations between MDMA/ecstasy and classic psychedelic use and psychological distress and suicide risk.
Methods
In this study, we examined the aforementioned associations among 484,732 adult participants in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008-2019).
Results
Lifetime MDMA/ecstasy use was associated with reduced odds of past-year suicidal thinking (10% reduced odds; odds ratio (OR) = 0.90; 95% confidence interval, CI = (0.84-0.97); p < 0.01) and past-year suicidal planning (OR = 0.88; 95% CI = (0.78-0.99); p < 0.05). Furthermore, lifetime psilocybin use was associated with reduced odds of past month psychological distress (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = (0.73-0.84); p < 0.001) and past-year suicidal thinking (OR = 0.90; 95% CI = (0.83-0.96); p < 0.01). Finally, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was associated with increased odds of past-year suicidal thinking (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = (1.00-1.15); p < 0.05).
Conclusion
MDMA/ecstasy and psilocybin use are associated with reduced odds of suicidal thinking and related outcomes, though experimental studies are needed to determine whether these associations are causal. These findings call for more research into the efficacy of MDMA/ecstasy and classic psychedelics for treating psychological distress and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and for updated drug legislation that allows for further investigation into these substances.
Research Summary of 'MDMA/ecstasy use and psilocybin use are associated with lowered odds of psychological distress and suicidal thoughts in a sample of US adults'
Introduction
Recent clinical and epidemiological work has raised interest in MDMA and classic psychedelics as potential treatments for psychiatric disorders that elevate risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STBs). Trials since 2011 have reported promising effects of MDMA for treatment‑resistant post‑traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety, and small trials of psilocybin and LSD in people with life‑threatening illness have shown sustained reductions in anxiety and depression. Classic psychedelics have also shown efficacy for some substance use disorders, suggesting multiple pathways through which these compounds might reduce suicide risk. Jones and colleagues frame the present study as an attempt to extend prior population‑level analyses by examining non‑causal associations between lifetime use of MDMA/ecstasy and classic psychedelics and measures of recent psychological distress and STBs. Using more recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data than some earlier studies, the investigators test whether self‑reported lifetime use of MDMA/ecstasy or specific classic psychedelics (notably psilocybin) is associated with lower odds of past month serious psychological distress and past year suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts.
Expert Research Summaries
Go Pro to access AI-powered section-by-section summaries, editorial takes, and the full research toolkit.
Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compounds
- Topics
- Authors
- APA Citation
Jones, G. M., & Nock, M. K. (2022). MDMA/ecstasy use and psilocybin use are associated with lowered odds of psychological distress and suicidal thoughts in a sample of US adults. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 36(1), 46-56. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811211058923
References (26)
Papers cited by this study that are also in Blossom
Tracy, D., Baumeister, D., Barnes, G. et al. · Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology (2014)
Bogenschutz, M. P., Johnson, M. W. · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry (2016)
Danforth, A. L., Grob, C. S., Struble, C. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2018)
Flanagan, T. W., Nichols, C. D. · International Review of Psychiatry (2018)
Gasser, P., Holstein, D., Michel, Y. et al. · Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (2014)
Greer, G. R. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (1986)
Griffiths, R. R., Richards, W. A., Mccann, U. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2006)
Grob, C. S., Danforth, A. L., Chopra, G. S. et al. · JAMA Psychiatry (2011)
Hendricks, P. S., Crawford, M. S., Cropsey, K. L. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2017)
Hendricks, P. S., Thorne, C. B., Clark, B. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2015)
Show all 26 referencesShow fewer
´dric, C., Hysek, M., Schmid, Y. et al. · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (2013)
Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. · Neurotherapeutics (2017)
Johnson, M. W., Garcia-Romeu, A., Cosimano, M. P. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2014)
Kamilar-Britt, P., Bedi, G. · Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (2015)
Krebs, T. S., Johansen, P. ˚. Ø. · PLOS ONE (2013)
Liechti, M. E., Gamma, A., Vollenweider, F. X. · Psychopharmacology (2001)
Ly, C., Greb, A. C., Cameron, L. P. et al. · Cell Reports (2018)
Mithoefer, M. C., Feduccia, A. A., Jerome, L. et al. · Psychopharmacology (2019)
Mithoefer, M. C., Wagner, M. T., Mithoefer, A. T. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2010)
Mithoefer, M. C., Wagner, M. T., Mithoefer, A. T. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2012)
King, C., Nichols, D. E. · Nature Reviews Neuroscience (2013)
Palhano-Fontes, F., Barreto, D., Onias, H. et al. · Psychological Medicine (2018)
Pisano, V. D., Putnam, N. P., Kramer, H. M. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2017)
Vollenweider, F. X., Kometer, M. · Nature Reviews Neuroscience (2010)
Yazar-Klosinski, B., Mithoefer, M. C. · Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2016)
Araújo, D. B., Zeifman, R. J., Palhano-Fontes, F. et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2019)
Cited By (8)
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
Maples-Keller, J. L., Hyatt, C. S., Phillips, N. L. et al. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2024)
Card, K. G., Grewal, A., Closson, K. et al. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2023)
Jones, G. M., Nock, M. K. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2023)
Jones, G. M., Lipson, J., Wang, E. · Scientific Reports (2023)
Hendricks, P. S., Simonsson, O. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2022)
Yang, K. H., Han, B. J., Palamar, J. J. · Addictive Behaviors (2022)
Jones, G. M., Lipson, J., Nock, M. K. · Scientific Reports (2022)
Jones, G. M., Ricard, J. A., Lipson, J. et al. · Scientific Reports (2022)
Your Personal Research Library
Go Pro to save papers, add notes, rate studies, and organize your research into custom shelves.