The association of psychedelic use and opioid use disorders among illicit users in the United States
In an analysis of 44,000 illicit opioid users from the 2008–2013 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health, lifetime use of classic psychedelic drugs was associated with a 27% lower risk of past‑year opioid dependence and a 40% lower risk of past‑year opioid abuse after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and other substance use. No other illicit drugs showed similar protective associations (marijuana was linked to a 55% lower risk of opioid abuse), suggesting the association may be specific to psychedelics and consistent with their reported therapeutic potential for substance use disorders.
Authors
- James Halpern
Published
Abstract
Background
Preliminary studies show psychedelic compounds administered with psychotherapy are potentially effective and durable substance misuse interventions. However, little is known about the association between psychedelic use and substance misuse in the general population. This study investigated the association between psychedelic use and past year opioid use disorders within illicit opioid users.
Methods
While controlling for socio-demographic covariates and the use of other substances, the relationship between classic psychedelic use and past year opioid use disorders was analyzed within 44,000 illicit opioid users who completed the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2008 to 2013.
Results
Among respondents with a history of illicit opioid use, psychedelic drug use is associated with 27% reduced risk of past year opioid dependence (weighted risk ratio = 0.73 (0.60–0.89) p = 0.002) and 40% reduced risk of past year opioid abuse (weighted risk ratio = 0.60 (0.41–0.86) p = 0.006). Other than marijuana use, which was associated with 55% reduced risk of past year opioid abuse (weighted risk ratio = 0.45 (0.30–0.66) p < 0.001), no other illicit drug was associated with reduced risk of past year opioid dependence or abuse.
Conclusion
Experience with psychedelic drugs is associated with decreased risk of opioid abuse and dependence. Conversely, other illicit drug use history is largely associated with increased risk of opioid abuse and dependence. These findings suggest that psychedelics are associated with positive psychological characteristics and are consistent with prior reports suggesting efficacy in treatment of substance use disorders.
Research Summary of 'The association of psychedelic use and opioid use disorders among illicit users in the United States'
Introduction
Opioid abuse and dependence remain a major public health problem in the United States, with rising rates of illicit opioid use and substantial long-term harms including unemployment, crime, comorbidity and increased mortality. Conventional maintenance treatments such as methadone and buprenorphine reduce illicit use and improve retention but have limitations including side effects, logistical burdens and incomplete long‑term effectiveness; psychosocial interventions alone are also insufficient. In parallel, serotonergic dysfunction has been implicated in opioid disorders, and earlier clinical and observational studies have reported promising signals for classic psychedelics (for example LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca) in treating various substance use disorders and improving psychological outcomes, though most work has been small, local and uncontrolled. Pisano and colleagues set out to examine whether a history of classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced risk of past‑year opioid abuse and dependence within a nationally representative sample of illicit opioid users. Using data from multiple years of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the study aimed to test the primary hypothesis that lifetime use of classic psychedelics would be linked to lower odds of meeting DSM‑IV criteria for past‑year opioid abuse or dependence; a secondary analysis explored associations between psychedelic history and each of the individual DSM‑IV dependence criteria.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Topics
- Author
- APA Citation
Pisano, V. D., Putnam, N. P., Kramer, H. M., Franciotti, K. J., Halpern, J. H., & Holden, S. C. (2017). The association of psychedelic use and opioid use disorders among illicit users in the United States. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31(5), 606-613. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881117691453
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