Trippin’ USA – Over 5,000,000 Americans now regularly use psychedelics

A new study confirms that LSD use has increased over the past decade, and even more so last year. The research, conducted by scientists at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Health and Irving Medical Center, found that the rise in youth ages 26 and older has been increasing gradually since 2015. The study also shows that hallucinogen use has decreased among teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17.

In 2019 alone, the overall consumption rate of LSD across all demographics increased from 0.9 percent to 4 percent. (An all-time high in two decades).

Overview of Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are substances that significantly distort reality by altering the user’s perception and thought processes. These drugs have a very different effect on cognition than many other drugs. Many believe that the effects of these drugs can lead to new or even expanded states of consciousness. Some people really do suffer from synesthesia, where they experience mixed sensory responses, such as: B. seeing sounds or hearing colors). These drugs can also cause hallucinations, altered perceptions of time, and psychotic experiences, which include a lack of connection to one’s body or the environment.

Most psychoactive drugs classified as Schedule I in the United States are hallucinogens, including “typical” psychedelics like LSD. The use of these substances carries the risk of unwanted side effects such as anxiety reactions, confusion, acute hallucinations and a long-lasting feeling of anxiety and fear.

There is a higher possibility of harmful autonomic, endocrine, cardiovascular and neurological consequences of hallucinogens such as acid, Mdma and some others, such as increased blood pressure, heart rate, decreased appetite, tremors and convulsions. While LSD and ecstasy have side effects similar to PCP, PCP is believed to be one of the deadliest hallucinogens and is known to induce acts of violence and hostility that can cause trauma.

Latest statistics on LSD use in America

This is the first time that a rigorous statistical analysis of patterns in frequency of LSD use overall and by age group over the past 20 years is presented in this study. The peer-reviewed journal Addiction publishes the results online.

The authors examined information from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for respondents ages 12 and older from 2002 to 2019 to estimate trends in hallucinogen use in the general US population. The authors concluded that at least 5.5 million people in the United States used hallucinogenic drugs in 2019. This shows an increase from 1.7 percent of people aged 12 and over in 2002 to 2.2 percent in 2019.

From 2002 to 2019, LSD use increased nationally and across all age groups, with the percentage of 18-25 year olds increasing from 0.9 percent in 2002 to 4 percent in 2019. Between 2002 and 2019 PCP use decreased and since 2015 MDMA use has also decreased.

One of the lead authors, postdoctoral fellow Ofir Livne, MD, MPH, from the Columbian Mailman Department of Epidemiology, added that the incidence of 12-month LSD use among respondents aged 12 to 17 increased significantly between 2002 and 2019. However, for all age categories between 2002 and 2014, there was a much lower risk of frequent LSD use.

Livne noted that there are still significant uncertainties surrounding safe LSD use and evidence of possible side effects even with medically supervised use. She emphasized that this requires attention. The speed at which scientific research implying the benefits of using certain hallucinogens in a range of cognitive areas is being published is increasing.

According to Deborah Hasin, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry-epidemiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and senior author, their results, which indicate an upward trend in 12-month LSD use overall and by age, mirror similar results of a downward trend in the public perception of hallucinogens as harmful. She added that use of some hallucinogens may have increased in recent years due to various factors such as changes in risk perception, availability of newer drugs, and expectations of the positive effects of microdosing.

Imminent psychedelic revolution

In light of recent events, experts believe a psychedelic revolution may be on the horizon as commercialization and politics begin to favor LSD use. For this reason, co-author Hasin believes that scientists, health professionals, and legislators should pay more attention to the increasing rates of uncontrolled use of hallucinogens in the general population. Hasin emphasized that the excessive consumption of hallucinogens (psychedelics and LSD) could threaten the public. Therefore, legislators must take preventive measures to regulate these drugs.

Similar research

In July 2020, Andrew Yockey and his research team from the University of Cincinnati published a similar study in the journal Drug of Alcohol Dependence. The study found that there was a sharp increase in the number of Americans who self-medicated with LSD to heal anxiety, depression and fatigue.

Lead author Andrew Yockey explained that users consume hallucinogens like LSD to escape frightening and depressing thoughts. Though thought to be a therapeutic mechanism, unhealthy LSD use may be the worst. This study analyzed LSD use trends and patterns from 2015 to 2020. They found that use increased exponentially in 2020. The study showed that people between the ages of 26 and 49 used LSD most often.

While the number of Americans who consume LSD annually still does not make up 1% of the total population, this does not negate that its use should be curbed or regulated as soon as possible. Not everyone believes that LSD use could harm the public. Hallucinogens (if properly researched and developed) could be a useful treatment for certain mental illnesses, according to Pat Aussem, associate vice president of clinical consumer content development at the Partnership to End Addiction.

last words

In the meantime, clinical trials of MDMA to treat PTSD are still ongoing. Aussem noted that the FDA is expected to regulate them by 2023. This shows that hallucinogens can be effective for some people, but not all, and that they are dangerous in certain diseases.

Until larger clinical trials are conducted to prove that hallucinogens are effective treatments for mood disorders, we advise against using these drugs if you have a personal or family history of psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or suicidal thoughts, heart disease, or seizures

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