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Psychedelic risks and benefits: A cross-sectional survey study.

Sean P. Goldy, Benjamin A Du, Julia S Rohde, Sandeep M. Nayak, Justin C Strickland, Rebecca Ehrenkranz, Michael Levine, Frederick S. Barrett, David B. Yaden

Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241292951 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed
Sample size 1,257
Population US adults recruited from an opt-in panel service using quota-based sampling to approximate US Census demographics
Topics Cannabis
Keywords Psychedelics Risks
Citations 15
Key findings First or most memorable psychedelic experiences were associated with both greater acute challenging effects and persisting negative effects, as well as greater positive acute and persisting effects, compared to cannabis experiences.

Abstract

As classic psychedelics' therapeutic potential is studied and their popularity continues to rise, it is important to establish their relative risks and benefits. Previous surveys have tended to use convenience sampling on social media, select participants who have had either extremely positive or negative effects, and have not compared the risk/benefit profile of psychedelics to other substances. To address these limitations, we gathered samples from an opt-in panel service using quota-based sampling to approximate demographics representing US Census data, did not pre-specify positive or negative experiences, and compared experiences with psychedelics to those with cannabis. We conducted two studies, one using a between-subjects design (n = 743) and one using a within-subjects design (n = 514), in which participants recruited from an opt-in panel service reflected on prior experience with psychedelics or cannabis and indicated self-reported risks and benefits associated with their experience. Results indicated that first or most memorable psychedelic experiences were associated with greater acute challenging effects and persisting negative effects than first or most memorable cannabis experiences, but psychedelic experiences were also associated with greater positive acute and persisting effects. Common predictors of negative and positive acute and persisting effects with psychedelics included various experience qualities (e.g., dose level, presence of others) and individual differences (e.g., religiosity, personality), though only to a small degree. These findings on psychedelic experiences provide a more nuanced characterization of risks and benefits and their predictors.

Comparable studies

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

Study Year Design Participants
Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... 2011 Observational cross-sectional study n = 148
Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students 2006 Cross-sectional survey n = 149
Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents 2020 Cross-sectional survey
User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire 2010 Cross-sectional survey n = 600
Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... 2012 Cross-sectional survey n = 337

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