Associations between classic psychedelics and nicotine dependence in a nationally representative sample
Grant Jones, Joshua Lipson, Matthew K. Nock
Scientific Reports June 22, 2022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14809-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 214,505 |
| Population | Adult participants in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2015–2019) |
| Topics | Addiction Mescaline |
| Keywords | Odds ratio Nicotine dependence Smoking cessation Cocaine dependence Logistic regression Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 31 |
| Key findings | Lifetime psilocybin, peyote, and mescaline use is associated with lower odds of current nicotine dependence, whereas lifetime LSD use is associated with higher odds. |
Abstract
Abstract Tobacco use is the single largest cause of preventable death worldwide, but none of the established treatments aimed at smoking cessation work for a majority of smokers. As such, there is an urgent need for interventions capable of reliably treating nicotine addiction. The use of classic psychedelics has been associated with lower odds of many forms of substance dependence. Here we tested whether lifetime use of classic psychedelics (tryptamine, lysergamide, and phenethylamine) is associated with lower odds of current nicotine dependence. We tested these associations in a sample of 214,505 adult participants in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2015–2019) using multivariable logistic regression models. Lifetime psilocybin use was associated with reduced odds of odds of current nicotine dependence (aOR 0.87–0.93). Lifetime use of peyote and mescaline also conferred reduced odds of multiple subdomains of a main nicotine dependence measure (Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale [NDSS]) (aOR 0.79–0.91). Conversely, lifetime use of LSD was associated with increased odds of nicotine dependence (aOR 1.17–1.24). Psilocybin, mescaline, and peyote use are associated with lowered odds of nicotine dependence. Experimental studies are needed to establish whether these associations are causal. These results make the case for further research into the efficacy of both tryptamine and phenethylamine psychedelics in promoting smoking cessation.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| The users of Novel Psychoactive Substances: Online survey about their characteristics, attitudes and motivations International users of novel psychoactive substances recruited via bluelight.org | 2016 | Cross-sectional online survey | n = 619 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Client and counselor attitudes toward the use of medications for treatment of opioid dependence. Counselors and clients from outpatient, methadone, and residential drug treatment programs | 2007 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 1,459 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 29
- Associations between MDMA/ecstasy, classic psychedelics, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in a sample of U.S. adolescents. Scientific Reports December 19, 2022
- Psychedelic substitution: altered substance use patterns following psychedelic use in a global survey. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024
- IUPHAR-review: The integration of classic psychedelics into current substance use disorder treatment models. Pharmacological Research 2024
- Efficacy and safety of psilocybin for the treatment of substance use disorders: A systematic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews June 1, 2025
- Race and ethnicity moderate the associations between lifetime psilocybin use and crime arrests Frontiers in Psychiatry August 24, 2023
and 24 more in the library
Cites 23
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
- Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Journal of Psychopharmacology September 11, 2014
and 18 more in the library