Perceptions of risk from psychedelics differ by race and age. Analyzing 2019 data from 41,679 respondents in the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, a majority rated both LSD (66.7%) and heroin (87.3%) as a great risk if used once or twice. White respondents and those reporting more than one race perceived significantly lower risk from LSD than other racial and ethnic groups. Perceived risk also increased significantly with age. These disparities likely reflect stigma and racial inequalities in drug-related crimes. As research into psychedelics’ therapeutic potential continues, these perceptions may shift.
Substance use disorders affect over 48.5 million Americans, and available treatments often fail even with adequate adherence. This overview of 16 systematic reviews examined evidence on serotonergic psychedelics and ketamine for treating substance use disorders. Preliminary evidence suggests these compounds may offer advantages over traditional treatments and could eventually become part of next-generation therapies under specific circumstances. However, significant challenges remain: high risk of bias and methodological limitations in existing studies warrant caution, and associated risks are not negligible. The use of psychedelic drugs for substance use disorders remains experimental, and current evidence is insufficient to support clinical practice.