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An Assessment of Psychedelic Knowledge Among People Using Psychedelics Naturalistically.

Daniel J. Kruger, Nicolas G. Glynos, Christopher W Fields, Moss Herberholz, Kevin F. Boehnke

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2023 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2022.2142709 (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 1,435
Population People reporting current psychedelic use recruited at a psychedelic advocacy event and through psychedelic interest groups on social media
Topics DMT LSD Psilocybin
Keywords Therapeutic use Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Substance knowledge Drug literacy Treatment Healing Drug safety
Citations 10
Key findings Greater number of different psychedelics used, higher education, lower age, greater frequency of use, male gender, high-dose use, White/Caucasian identity, and higher income were associated with more correct answers on a psychedelic knowledge assessment.

Abstract

Identifying gaps and strengths in psychedelic-related knowledge is key to developing effective, evidence-based education to inform appropriate use of and harm reduction practices for psychedelics in the naturalistic use landscape. The current study piloted an assessment instrument with questions on legal status, therapeutic potential, and side effects of psychedelics among people reporting current psychedelic use. We recruited participants (N = 1435) at a psychedelic advocacy event and through psychedelic interest groups on social media. Respondents completed a brief survey of psychedelic use and psychedelic knowledge. Items assessed basic knowledge of various topics surrounding psychedelics, such as legal status, active compounds, and known therapeutic efficacy based on the clinical trial literature. Respondents who had used greater numbers of different psychedelics, with higher levels of education, lower age, greater frequency of psychedelic use, identifying as male, used high doses (vs. microdosing only), identifying as Caucasian/White, and with greater annual household income answered more questions correctly. Most respondents exhibited high knowledge of psychedelics, though there is also a demonstrated need for education and outreach, especially in under-represented communities.

Comparable studies

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

Study Year Design Participants
Survey of subjective "God encounter experiences": Comparisons among naturally occurring experiences and those occasioned by the classic psychedelics psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, or DMT Adults reporting a single most memorable God encounter experience, either nondrug or... 2019 Cross-sectional survey n = 4,285
Survey of entity encounter experiences occasioned by inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine: Phenomenology, interpretation, and enduring effects. People who had a memorable entity encounter after taking N,N-dimethyltryptamine 2020 Survey n = 2,561
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
The epidemiology of 5-methoxy- N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) use: Benefits, consequences, patterns of use, subjective effects, and reasons for consumption. Adults who use 5-MeO-DMT, recruited via internet-based advertisements; predominantly... 2018 Cross-sectional survey n = 515
Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Prevalence, user characteristics and abuse liability in a large global sample People who completed the Global Drug Survey online in 2012, many of whom have used drugs 2013 Cross-sectional survey n = 22,289

Citations in the library

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Cites 9

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