Tripping into the unknown: Exploring the experiences of first-time LSD users through global drug survey insights.

Luke Baxter; Cheneal Puljević; Tim Piatkowski; Jason Ferris; Emma Davies; Monica J Barratt; Adam Winstock

doi:10.1177/02698811241254837

Tripping into the unknown: Exploring the experiences of first-time LSD users through global drug survey insights.

Luke Baxter, Cheneal Puljević, Tim Piatkowski, Jason Ferris, Emma Davies, Monica J Barratt, Adam Winstock

Journal of Psychopharmacology August 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241254837 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract

Characteristics	Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed
Sample size	3,340
Population	International sample of individuals who initiated LSD use in the preceding 12 months
Topics	LSD
Keywords	Prevention Drugs Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Acid Harm reduction safety Risk management Social support peers Companions Friends Trip sitters
Citations	3
Key findings	First-time LSD users overwhelmingly reported positive experiences with rare adverse effects, though mild fear was common and did not discourage future use.

Abstract

The recreational use of LSD, a synthetic psychedelic drug, has surged in recent years, coinciding with a renewed research focus on its potential psychotherapeutic properties. This study aims to describe the experiences and perceptions of individuals engaging in LSD use for the first time, derived from a large international sample. This study utilised 2018 Global Drug Survey data collected from 6 November 2017 to 10 January 2018. Participants who initiated LSD use in the preceding 12 months answered questions on their experiences, social settings, harm-reduction behaviours, and demographics. Descriptive statistics were employed, and characteristics of those seeking emergency medical treatment (EMT) and those not planning further LSD use were compared with other respondents. Among 3340 respondents who used LSD in the past year, their first-time experiences generally exceeded expectations, with 97.7% expressing excitement. Adverse and unwanted side effects were rarely reported, and only 17 individuals needed EMT. Feelings of fear were reported by most (64.1%), but only very mildly and not enough to put them off from wanting to use LSD again. Although the occurrence of unwanted side effects seems low and the LSD experience is generally pleasurable, vigilance amid the rising illicit use of LSD through harm-reduction education is still important in preventing possible risks.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on LSD, most cited first.

Study	Year	Design	Participants
Survey of subjective "God encounter experiences": Comparisons among naturally occurring experiences and those occasioned by the classic psychedelics psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, or DMT Adults reporting a single most memorable God encounter experience, either nondrug or...	2019	Cross-sectional survey	n = 4,285
Patterns of recreational drug use at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland Drug users at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, aged 16-47, 80% between 18 and...	2001	Cross-sectional survey	n = 122
Development of the Psychological Insight Questionnaire among a sample of people who have consumed psilocybin or LSD Psilocybin and LSD users	2021	Cross-sectional survey study	n = 1,661
Prevalence and associations of challenging, difficult or distressing experiences using classic psychedelics. US adult population	2023	Cross-sectional survey	n = 2,822
Trends in LSD use among US adults: 2015-2018. US adults ages 18 and older	2020	Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data	n = 168,562

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Cited by 2

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