Motives for Classical and Novel Psychoactive Substances Use in Psychedelic Polydrug Users
Hannes Kettner, Natasha L. Mason, Kim P. C. Kuypers
Contemporary Drug Problems September 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1177/0091450919863899 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,967 |
| Population | Adults aged 18 or older who completed an online survey about lifetime drug use and motives |
| Topics | Cannabis LSD MDMA Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Psychoactive substance Hallucinogen Synthetic cannabinoids Psychoactive drug Stimulant Designer drug Mephedrone Harm |
| Citations | 50 |
| Key findings | Motivational patterns for NPS and CPS use are largely similar, except for synthetic cannabinoids, which are used primarily for intoxication indiscriminate of specific qualities. |
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are compounds designed to mimic the effects of existing recreational drugs (classical psychoactive substances [CPS]), while eluding established legal frameworks. Little is known about their effects and potential harms, rendering the increasing number of NPS a challenge to policy makers and researchers alike. Quantitative studies on the motives underlying NPS use are limited, though understanding them is crucial for the design of effective harm prevention strategies. The present study therefore aimed to compare motivational patterns for NPS, CPS, and legal psychoactive substance (LPS) use. An online survey including questions about lifetime drug use, demographics, and motives for use was completed by 2,319 participants of which 1,967 consented and were 18 years or older. Data on lifetime use and endorsed motives are presented for 12 psychoactive substances classified into LPS (alcohol, nicotine), CPS (cannabis, MDMA/ecstasy, amphetamines, cocaine, psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca), and NPS (synthetic cannabinoids, stimulant, and hallucinogenic) and compared between classes. Across substances, the most frequently endorsed motives were to feel euphoric (58.0%), enhance an activity (52.3%), and broaden consciousness (48.1%). Motives for use were found to differ by substance and gender, with coping-related reasons being more frequent among female participants compared to males who indicated to use for a broad range of reasons. Motivational patterns of CPS and NPS use were largely similar to their classical analogues, this was not the case for synthetic cannabinoids, which had as main endorsed motive getting intoxicated, indiscriminate of specific qualities. This information can feed into tailoring of educational campaigns and prevention strategies.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 30
- Psychedelic Communitas: Intersubjective Experience During Psychedelic Group Sessions Predicts Enduring Changes in Psychological Wellbeing and Social Connectedness. Frontiers in Pharmacology March 25, 2021
- Motives for the use of serotonergic psychedelics: A systematic review. Drug and Alcohol Review September 1, 2022
- Naturalistic use of psychedelics is related to emotional reactivity and self-consciousness: The mediating role of ego-dissolution and mystical experiences Journal of Psychopharmacology August 1, 2022
- Racial/ethnic differences in prevalence of hallucinogen use by age cohort: Findings from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Journal of Psychedelic Studies July 15, 2021
- Why do people use new psychoactive substances? Development of a new measurement tool in six European countries. Journal of Psychopharmacology June 1, 2020
and 25 more in the library
Cites 6
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology April 26, 2017
- Psychedelic medicine: a re-emerging therapeutic paradigm Canadian Medical Association Journal September 8, 2015
- The users of Novel Psychoactive Substances: Online survey about their characteristics, attitudes and motivations International Journal of Drug Policy March 23, 2016
- The World Ayahuasca Diaspora September 1, 2016
- Motivations for new psychoactive substance use among regular psychostimulant users in Australia. International Journal of Drug Policy May 2017
and 1 more in the library