Tripping in the Happiest Country of the World – Use Values of Psychedelics According to Finnish Users

Interviews with 40 Finnish users of classic psychedelics reveal three main reasons for use: as a catalyst for change, as self-medication, and as a device for self-improvement. Users reported positive experiences such as beauty, calmness, awe, connection with others, and mystical experiences, and found psychedelics helpful for depression, anxiety, difficult experiences, and traumas. The authors suggest that psychedelics offer experiences unavailable in everyday life and that their use reflects a contemporary biopolitical project of self-care and individualistic solutions for mental health needs. With harm reduction practices, psychedelic use likely provides more benefits than harm for some individuals.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background The use of psychedelics is on the rise worldwide as more people are experimenting, self-medicating or seeking benefits from these substances. Aims This study explores the use values ascribed to classic psychedelics by 40 users in Finland – a country that scores high in welfare and happiness but has faced an increase in mental health problems and has adapted austerity policies in the public service sector. Methods The data consists of thematical interviews with individuals who use or have used psychedelics. We analysed the data focusing on the sense-making regarding use practices and use values. Results The analysis identified three main functions and benefits: (a) psychedelics as a catalyst for change, (b) psychedelics as a self-medication practice and (c) psychedelics as a device for self-improvement. Positive experiences included feelings of beauty, calmness, awe, connecting with others and mystical experiences. Psychedelics had helped the participants with depression, anxiety, difficult experiences and traumas. Conclusions Psychedelics appear to offer users experiences that are unattainable in their everyday lives. Their use can be seen as part of a contemporary biopolitical project of self-care and individualistic solutions for contemporary need for better mental health, living a carefree and meaningful life. When certain harm and risk reduction practices are considered, psychedelic use still seems likely to provide more benefits than harm for some individuals.