Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2024
Daniel J. Kruger, Carlton Cb Bone, Meredith C Meacham et al.
9 citations
A survey of THC-O-acetate users found that the semi-synthetic cannabinoid produces low to moderate cognitive distortions—altered sense of time, concentration difficulties, and short-term memory problems—with few visuals or hallucinations. Scores on the Mystical Experience Questionnaire were significantly below the threshold for a complete mystical experience across all four dimensions. Users who had previously used classic psychedelics (5-HT2A agonists) scored lower on all dimensions. When asked directly, 79% of respondents said using THC-O-acetate is "not at all" or "a little" of a psychedelic experience. Some reports of psychedelic effects may stem from expectations or contaminants.
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
October 1, 2024
Carlton Cb Bone, Charles Klein, Kaelas Munger et al.
6 citations
Most people who use THCO, a semisynthetic cannabinoid derived from hemp, vape it (74.9%), while about a quarter dab it (24.3%) and tend to use higher temperatures than those who vape. A small portion of users (12.0%) expressed concerns about the risk of ketene gas, which can form when THCO is heated and is harmful to the lungs. Because multiple factors influence ketene formation and consumer temperature choices may enable it, more research is needed to understand the harm profile of hemp-derived substances like THCO.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
August 4, 2025
Meredith C Meacham, Maha N. Mian, Ralph C. Wang et al.
2 citations
Among U.S. adults who have ever used a hallucinogen, four distinct patterns of lifetime use emerge: a group primarily using psilocybin (16%), a larger group using both LSD and psilocybin (46%), a group mainly using ecstasy (23%), and a group using multiple hallucinogens (15%). Older age is associated with higher odds of being in the LSD/psilocybin class compared with the psilocybin-only class, and non-White participants have higher odds of being in the ecstasy class. These overlapping use patterns suggest that clinical trials and future policies should account for polysubstance hallucinogen experiences.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
January 16, 2025
Noa Krawczyk, Megan Miller, Emma Yuanqi Gu et al.
2 citations
People in online opioid-use-disorder communities hold diverse views on using psychedelics to manage opioid use. Many report that psychedelics reduce physical dependence symptoms, shift motivations away from opioids, and address underlying mental health issues. Others see the promise as exaggerated, noting that many eventually return to opioid use or consider psychedelics dangerous. The findings underscore an urgent need for controlled studies to understand psychedelics' effects on opioid use, their integration with existing treatments, and safety strategies.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
March 30, 2026
Emma Yuanqi Gu, Natalia M. Irvine, Megan Miller et al.
People who use opioids and participate in online Reddit communities for opioid recovery often report positive experiences with psychedelics, describing symptom relief for anxiety, depression, and PTSD, along with enhanced mood, inner peace, emotional healing, and shifts in perspective. These experiences were linked to reprocessing trauma and disrupting negative thought cycles, supporting long-term recovery by fostering emotional resilience and clarity. However, concerns about the risks of self-administered psychedelic use were noted. The findings are exploratory due to the unique sample and context of an internet forum.