The use of classic psychedelics among adults: a Danish online survey study

Background Clinical studies report preliminary therapeutic effects of classic psychedelic drugs in several psychiatric conditions and international drug trends show increased use of these compounds. However, the epidemiology of classic psychedelic drug use in Scandinavian countries remains sparsely investigated. To this end, we investigated the patterns of use and the subjectively perceived acute and persisting effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and mescaline, among Danish adults. Methods An anonymous online survey with 152 items was conducted using the secure survey web application REDCap. Results were presented descriptively and as comparisons between psychedelic drugs. Results Five-hundred participants (30.0% female, mean age 34.5 years) were included. Classic psychedelics were mostly used with therapeutic (28.0%) or spiritual (27.2%) intentions. Sixty-seven per cent used classic psychedelics once a year or less. Most participants (56.4%) preferred using psilocybin. Classic psychedelic use was for some individuals, associated with hazardous use of alcohol (39.4%). Among participants with a psychiatric treatment history, 80.9% reported subjective improvements in symptoms following classic psychedelic use. Participants' most memorable experiences were moderate-to-strong mystical-type experiences (MEQ30 mean +/- SD 3.4 +/- 1.0; range 1-5) and had positive persisting effects on well-being (mean +/- SD 2.1 +/- 1.0), social relationships (mean +/- SD 1.7 +/- 1.2), meaning of life (mean +/- SD 1.9 +/- 1.1), and mood (mean +/- SD 1.8 +/- 1.1); range -3 to 3. DMT users experienced significantly greater subjective positive effects. Conclusions Classic psychedelics were mostly used therapeutically or spiritually and had self-reported positive persisting effects, but were also associated with hazardous use of alcohol, among Danish adults. DMT was associated with significantly greater positive effects compared to LSD and psilocybin.

Automated summary

This study investigated the patterns of classic psychedelic drug use among Danish adults and found that these drugs were mostly used for therapeutic or spiritual purposes. They were associated with positive persisting effects on well-being, social relationships, meaning of life, and mood. However, they were also associated with hazardous alcohol use.