Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
July 31, 2023
Benjamin A. Korman
8 citations
People who have used psilocybin at least once in their lives work fewer overtime hours than those who have never used it. Analyzing data from 217,963 full-time U.S. employees surveyed between 2002 and 2014, the study found a significant negative association between lifetime psilocybin use and overtime hours worked in the past week, after accounting for demographics and other substance use. This translates to an estimated 44,348,400 fewer overtime hours per year across the full-time working population. The finding may help explain why prior research linked lifetime psilocybin use to reduced sick leave.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 16, 2023
Benjamin A. Korman
7 citations
Unemployed job seekers who have ever used classic psychedelics report greater psychological distress in the past 30 days than unemployed job seekers who have never used them, after accounting for demographics, health, and other substance use. Among employed individuals, no difference in distress was linked to lifetime psychedelic use. The finding suggests that classic psychedelic use may worsen stressful life phases, adding nuance to earlier studies that tied lifetime psychedelic use to positive mental health outcomes in healthy populations.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
January 16, 2023
Benjamin A. Korman
7 citations
Among 193,320 employed adults in the United States, having ever used classic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, or mescaline) is not associated with missing more workdays due to lack of motivation. After accounting for demographics, physical health, and other substance use, no significant link was found between lifetime classic psychedelic use and motivationally-based workplace absenteeism. The findings challenge automatic job applicant rejection policies based solely on prior psychedelic use, suggesting such discrimination lacks empirical support.
Drug Science Policy and Law
January 1, 2023
Benjamin A. Korman
5 citations
Immigrants face mental and physical health burdens during acculturation, and classic psychedelics may help them process discrimination, make healthier decisions, and feel more connected. This literature review outlines a research roadmap for exploring how psychedelics could benefit this growing minority group, based on initial findings.
Substance Use & Misuse
January 1, 2024
Benjamin A. Korman
4 citations
Past-year LSD use increased more rapidly among business managers than among non-managers in the United States between 2006 and 2014. This difference was not explained by changes in managers' perceived risk of LSD or overall substance use. The findings suggest that hierarchical rank in the workplace is linked to rising LSD use, and that managers—both men and women—may be increasingly drawn to LSD for its potential to enhance creativity and competitive performance.
PLoS One
January 1, 2024
Benjamin A. Korman
Lifetime use of LSD before job loss is associated with a higher likelihood of severe psychological distress afterward, not with resilience. Analyzing data from over 5 million unemployed, job-seeking individuals, the study found that those who used LSD prior to losing their job reported worse mental health following the stressful experience, even after accounting for sociodemographic factors. This contradicts earlier suggestions that classic psychedelics might confer psychological protection. The findings indicate that, in naturalistic settings, LSD use does not buffer against the distress of unemployment.