A contemporary exploration of motivations and practices of psychedelic use among emerging adult cannabis users in the United States: A qualitative analysis.
Bridgid M Conn, Alisha Osornio, Kaia Sheean, Maddy Finkelstein, Janna Ataiants, Ekaterina V Fedorova, Stephen E Lankenau, Mark A. Prince, Carolyn F Wong
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors August 13, 2026 DOI: 10.1037/adb0001180 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 33 |
| Population | Cannabis-using emerging adults who endorsed psychedelic use |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Identified four domains influencing psychedelic use among cannabis-using emerging adults: context, expectancies, motives, and practices. Motives included self/spiritual exploration, social connection, and self-treatment; practices included microdosing, intentional use, and experimentation. |
Abstract
Despite increased naturalistic psychedelic use in the United States, limited studies explore factors currently contributing to use among ethnically and racially diverse psychedelic and cannabis-using adults. This study employs thematic analysis using qualitative data to explore the factors contributing to contemporary psychedelic use. Qualitative interviews (conducted in 2022-2023) from a subsample of cannabis-using emerging adults who endorsed psychedelic use (N = 33) within a longitudinal mixed methods study were analyzed. Descriptive data were also collected via survey. Transcripts were analyzed, and thematic analysis was implemented using a multiphase coding process until consensus was reached to explore the myriad factors influencing psychedelic use among people who use cannabis within previous motivational models of substance use. Four domains that dynamically influence psychedelic practices were identified: (a) context, such as norms, attitudes, and stigma; (b) expectancies, including perceived benefits and risks; (c) motives for use, including self and/or spiritual exploration, social connection, and self-treatment; and (d) practices, including microdosing, goal setting/intentional use, and experimentation. The current analysis identified factors influencing psychedelic use among U.S. adults who use cannabis in our current society and considered these findings within the context of historical models of substance use, including psychedelic use and motivational models. This study reflects a crucial step in furthering our knowledge around the growing zeitgeist of psychedelic use, including the role of motives, expectancies, and context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Psychoactive drug or mystical incense? Overview of the online available information on Spice products Web pages related to Spice products | 2009 | Qualitative study | n = 200 |
| Patterns, Trends, and Meanings of Drug Use by Dance-drug Users in Edinburgh, Scotland Clubbers in clubs and pre-club bars | 2004 | Cross-sectional survey with focus groups | n = 124 |
| Fascination and Social Togetherness-Discussions about Spice Smoking on a Swedish Internet Forum. Swedish internet forum users who posted reports about Spice intoxication | 2013 | Qualitative study | n = 40 |
| Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis. Participants recruited from seven online communities, median age 33, 81% male | 2020 | Mixed methods (qualitative interviews and quantitative survey) | n = 319 |