Socio-Cultural and Psychological Aspects of Contemporary LSD use in Germany
Journal of Drug Issues April 1, 2002 DOI: 10.1177/002204260203200207 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 26 |
| Population | 12 female and 14 male LSD users aged 19 to 53 |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Thematic analysis Narrative Harm Value mathematics Perception Individuation Relevance law Personality Qualitative research Developmental psychology Social science Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 19 |
| Key findings | LSD use is largely independent of the party drugs scene, and most users report it as important for their individuation and personality development. |
Abstract
The current study uses a qualitative methodology to investigate socio-cultural and psychological aspects involved in the use of LSD and comparable psychedelic substances. To date, 26 narrative interviews have been conducted with 12 female and 14 male users aged 19 to 53 years. The resulting data were subjected to content analysis in several thematic areas. Subjective reports of LSD use and experiences are considered among the complex interrelationship of drug effects, individual and environmental factors, as well as in comparison to the results reported in earlier research. Preliminary results suggest the use of LSD is largely independent of the “party drugs” scene, although its users do embrace elements of alternative lifestyles and subcultures. The majority of participants report their LSD experiences to be of great importance and to have intellectual relevance for their individuation process and personality development. Exploration of the self and the desire to experience profound changes in their perception of the world are reported as primary motives for LSD use, in addition to its hedonistic value. Individual backgrounds, knowledge and patterns of reaction are found to strongly influence the character of the drug effects that are experienced. Next to a wide range of extra-pharmacological factors, various methods for actively modifying LSD induced states were discovered to determine the general character of LSD experiences. These are discussed with regard to their implications for the development of suitable harm reduction concepts.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects Patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases | 2014 | Prospective follow-up with qualitative content analysis | n = 10 |
| Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and LSD Cluster headache patients who used psilocybin or LSD | 2006 | Qualitative study | n = 53 |
| Making "bad trips" good: How users of psychedelics narratively transform challenging trips into valuable experiences. Norwegian users of psychedelics | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 50 |
| Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook Active microdosing community | 2019 | Mixed-methods study | |
| Psychoactive substances as a last resort—a qualitative study of self-treatment of migraine and cluster headaches Users of online forums discussing cluster headache and migraine treatments | 2017 | Qualitative thematic analysis |
Citations in the library
Cited by 12
- Making "bad trips" good: How users of psychedelics narratively transform challenging trips into valuable experiences. International Journal of Drug Policy 2021
- Voice of the Psychonauts: Coping, Life Purpose, and Spirituality in Psychedelic Drug Users Journal of Psychoactive Drugs July 1, 2011
- Microdosing psychedelics: Motivations, subjective effects and harm reduction International Journal of Drug Policy November 25, 2019
- The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health. Health Psychology Open July 1, 2020
- Motives for the use of serotonergic psychedelics: A systematic review. Drug and Alcohol Review September 1, 2022
and 7 more in the library
Cites 10
- Altered States of Consciousness Archives of General Psychiatry September 1, 1966
- REACTIONS TO PSILOCYBJN ADMINISTERED IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease December 1, 1963
- Mescaline-induced psychopathological, neuropsychological, and neurometabolic effects in normal subjects: experimental psychosis as a tool for psychiatric research. Biological Psychiatry December 1, 1992
- Adverse consequences of lysergic acid diethylamide Addiction October 1, 1993
- Acute Adverse Reactions to Lsd in Clinical and Experimental use in the United Kingdom The British Journal of Psychiatry February 1, 1971
and 5 more in the library