Classic psychedelic and cannabis use among U.S. cancer survivors aged ≥ 50 years: nationally representative estimates by cancer type/site.
Amrit Baral, Yue Pan, Wayway M. Hlaing, Albert Garcia‐romeu, Paulo S. Pinheiro, Denise C. Vidot
Cancer causes & control : CCC April 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-026-02172-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 63,959 |
| Population | U.S. adults aged 50 years and older |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Cancer Classic psychedelics Older adults Survivors |
| Key findings | Lifetime cannabis and classic psychedelic use among older adults showed modest differences between cancer survivors and those without cancer, with lower psychedelic and co-use in survivors during 2015-2019 but no significant differences by 2021-2022. |
Abstract
To examine the prevalence of lifetime ("ever") cannabis and classic psychedelic use, and their co-use among U.S. adults aged ≥ 50 years with versus without a lifetime history of cancer, and to describe variation by cancer type/site among survivors. We analyzed pooled 2015-2019 and 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data of U.S. adults aged ≥ 50 years (Unweighted; n = 42,815 for 2015-2019; n = 21,144 for 2021-2022). Lifetime cannabis and classic psychedelic (LSD, psilocybin, peyote/mescaline) use and cancer history (physician-diagnosed, self-reported) were assessed. Weighted prevalence estimates and 95% CIs were computed, and subgroup analyses by cancer type/site were conducted. Between 2015 and 2019, cannabis use was similar among cancer survivors (41.6%, 95% CI 40.0-43.2) and individuals without cancer (42.6%, 95% CI 42.0-43.2, p = 0.21). LSD (8.9, 95% CI 8.1-9.7 vs 10.3, 95% CI 9.8-10.8) and psilocybin (6.4, 95% CI 5.6-7.3 vs 7.7, 95% CI 7.4-8.1) were lower among cancer survivors. Any classic psychedelic use was 11.6% (95% CI 10.6-12.5) among cancer survivors versus 12.9% (95% CI 12.4-13.3) among those without cancer (p < 0.01). Lifetime use of both cannabis and classic psychedelics was lower in cancer survivors (11.2%, 95% CI 10.3-12.1) than in individuals without cancer (12.6%, 95% CI 12.2-13.1, p < 0.01). Between 2021 and 2022, overall group differences were not statistically significant. Across both periods, prevalence varied by cancer type/site, with head and neck, cervical, and hepatobiliary/pancreatic cancer survivors having the highest co-use. Lifetime cannabis, classic psychedelic, and co-use patterns showed modest differences by cancer history and meaningful variation across cancer type/site. Overall, these findings suggest that substance use patterns among cancer survivors are not uniform and may differ across survivor subgroups.
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
Cites 12
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- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psychological and cognitive effects of long-term peyote use among Native Americans. Biological Psychiatry October 15, 2005
- Psychedelic Drug Legislative Reform and Legalization in the US JAMA Psychiatry December 7, 2022
- Therapeutic use of classic psychedelics to treat cancer-related psychiatric distress International Review of Psychiatry July 4, 2018
and 7 more in the library