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Personality traits explain the relationship between psychedelic use and less depression in a comparative study.

David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson, Petri Kajonius

Scientific Reports May 3, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60890-1 (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 800
Population Swedish adults aged 16 and older
Topics Depression
Keywords Drug use Mental health Personality traits Psychedelics
Citations 16
Key findings Psychedelic users reported less depression and higher drug use than matched non-users, with the depression difference partly explained by lower neuroticism.

Abstract

Interest in psychedelics is increasing due to the potential for improved mental health and quality of life. However, adverse effects on mental health are still a concern. Personality traits have been suggested to both influence the psychedelic experience and mental health, and even be changed by psychedelic use. The present study describes for the first time a national sample of Swedish psychedelic users (n = 400) compared to a sex and age-matched control-group of non-users (n = 400) regarding mental health variables (depression, insomnia, problematic alcohol and drug use, and dissociation) and personality (Big Five). Data was collected in an online survey including individuals from 16 years of age who had at least one psychedelic experience. The main results reported psychedelic users as less depressed (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9) (d = - 0.29) and having more use of drugs (Drug Use Disorders Identification Test; DUDIT) (d = 1.27). In the Big Five personality traits, openness differed notably (d = 1.72), and the between-group effects in PHQ-9 were explained by lower neuroticism. Our findings reveal that psychedelic users report less depression and higher drug use, and this is partly due to personality traits. These results have implications on how we view psychedelic users and the use of psychedelic drugs.

Comparable studies

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

Study Year Design Participants
Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic 2020 Cross-sectional survey n = 985
5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures 2019 Cross-sectional survey n = 362
Psychological and neuropsychological assessment of regular hoasca users. Regular hoasca users from a U.S. branch of União do Vegetal and matched non-user controls 2016 Cross-sectional study n = 57
Adults who microdose psychedelics report health related motivations and lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to non-microdosers Self-selected microdosers and non-microdosers recruited via a mobile application 2021 Cross-sectional survey n = 8,703
Effects of Naturalistic Psychedelic Use on Depression, Anxiety, and Well-Being: Associations With Patterns of Use, Reported Harms, and Transformative Mental States. Adults with at least one lifetime psychedelic experience 2022 Cross-sectional survey n = 2,510

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