Adolescent Psychedelic Use and Mental Health Is Associated with User Personality: A Representative National Study on Drug Use
David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson, Isabella Gripe, Siri Thor, Petri Kajonius
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction April 29, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-025-01481-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10,288 |
| Population | Swedish 9th and 11th grade students responding to the 2024 CAN school survey |
| Measures | General Anxiety, GAD-7, Daily dysfunction, Satisfaction with Life, Big Five, TIPI |
| Key findings | Among Swedish adolescents, 1.9% reported lifetime psychedelic use. Users had higher anxiety scores than non-users (GAD-7 9.7 vs. 5.4; d = 0.80) and higher neuroticism (d = 0.37) with lower conscientiousness (d = -0.54). Psychedelic use added little beyond personality in explaining mental health (change in R-squared 0.01 vs. 0.32). The authors argue that personality traits, especially neuroticism, are important for understanding adolescent psychedelic use and that public health policy should address personality risk factors. |
Abstract
It is still unknown how current trends in psychedelic use among adolescents are related to mental health. This study reports on the prevalence of psychedelic use in a Swedish representative nationwide drug survey and its association with mental health outcomes and user personality. A cross-sectional study using data from the latest 2024 Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN) school survey was conducted (N = 10,288 in 9th and 11th grades; response rate: 79%). Psychedelic use was measured along with mental health (General Anxiety, GAD-7, Daily dysfunction, and Satisfaction with Life) and personality traits (Big Five; TIPI). A total of 1.9% reported lifetime psychedelic use. Users had higher GAD-7 scores compared to non-users (M: 9.7 vs. 5.4; Cohen’s d = 0.80) and differed in personality traits with higher neuroticism (d = 0.37) and lower conscientiousness (d = − 0.54). Psychedelic use did not add an explanation to mental health (ΔR2 = 0.01) in addition to user personality (ΔR2 = 0.32). Adolescent psychedelic use in Sweden is associated with poorer mental health, i.e., increased anxiety. Personality traits, particularly neuroticism, play a significant role, emphasizing the importance of individual differences in understanding adolescent psychedelic use. Public health policies should integrate education on psychedelic use and personality risk factors to inform adolescents and caregivers about potential risks and benefits.