The Canadian Psychedelic Survey: Characteristics, Patterns of Use, and Access in a Large Sample of People Who Use Psychedelic Drugs
This survey (n=2045) of Canadian psychedelic users finds psilocybin, MDMA and LSD are the most commonly used. It also reports positive (82%) life changes and challenging experiences (52%). Motivations for use include fun, self-exploration, general mental well-being, and personal growth.
Abstract
Background
Recent years have seen a resurgence in clinical interest in, and increased public acceptance of, psychedelic drugs in Canada. However, our understanding of how psychedelic drugs are currently used in Canada remains limited. We developed the Canadian Psychedelic Survey (CPS) to gather real-world evidence about psychedelic drug use in Canada. This study aimed to characterize CPS respondents; identify access sources; explore psychedelic-specific patterns, purposes, and contexts of use; and contextualize intense positive and challenging psychedelic experiences.
Methods
The CPS was administered in January 2022. We used descriptive statistics to characterize the sample and understand access to psychedelic drugs and detailed patterns and contexts of use. We built separate logistic regression models to identify sociodemographic and psychedelic-related correlates of reporting an intense positive and challenging experience with psychedelic drugs.
Results
We analyzed data from 2045 respondents (mean age = 38.4 years; 56% female). Psilocybin, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) were the most used psychedelic drugs. Top motivations for psychedelic drug use were fun, self-exploration, general mental well-being, and personal growth. Lifetime intense positive and challenging psychedelic experiences were reported by 82% and 52%, respectively. Over half (56%) of those who had an intense challenging experience reported that “some good” came from the experience after-the-fact. In multivariable analysis, significant correlates of intense positive experiences included higher perceived psychedelic experience and fun and self-exploration as motivations for use (p < 0.05). Significant correlates of intense challenging experiences included higher perceived psychedelic experience and trauma management, fun, and boredom as motivations for use (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
The CPS is the most comprehensive survey of psychedelic drug use to date. Detailing the range of therapeutic and nontherapeutic experiences of psychedelic drug consumers in Canada, these findings add important nuances that can inform evolving clinical research and policy discussions impacting safe access to and use of psychedelic drugs.
Research Summary of 'The Canadian Psychedelic Survey: Characteristics, Patterns of Use, and Access in a Large Sample of People Who Use Psychedelic Drugs'
Introduction
Psychedelic substances produce altered states of consciousness and have re-emerged as objects of scientific and public interest after decades of restrictive regulation. Classic compounds such as psilocybin and LSD act primarily at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, while drugs often described as non-classic psychedelics (for example MDMA and ketamine) act via other mechanisms. Previous clinical research has reported promising short- and long-term effects for a range of psychiatric conditions but has been limited by small sample sizes and restrictive legal frameworks. At the same time, public acceptance and regulatory change in some jurisdictions have increased, yet detailed, contemporary information about how psychedelics are used in Canada—who uses them, for what reasons, by what routes of access, and with what acute effects—remains scarce. Liebert and colleagues developed the Canadian Psychedelic Survey (CPS) to gather real-world evidence about psychedelic use in Canada. The survey aimed to characterise respondents, document sources of access, describe substance-specific patterns, motives, and contexts of use, and contextualise intense positive and challenging psychedelic experiences. The study therefore sought descriptive population-level data plus analytic models identifying socio-demographic and use-related correlates of reporting intense positive or challenging experiences.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compounds
- Topics
- Author
- APA Citation
Lake, S., & Lucas, P. (2023). The Canadian Psychedelic Survey: Characteristics, Patterns of Use, and Access in a Large Sample of People Who Use Psychedelic Drugs. Psychedelic Medicine, 1(2), 98-110. https://doi.org/10.1089/psymed.2023.0002
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