Population Survey Data Informing the Therapeutic Potential of Classic and Novel Phenethylamine, Tryptamine, and Lysergamide Psychedelics
James D. Sexton, Charles D. Nichols, Peter S. Hendricks
Frontiers in Psychiatry February 11, 2020 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00896 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 260,964,827 |
| Population | Respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008–2017, weighted to represent the U.S. population |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Phenethylamines Tryptamines Lysergamides Mental health outcomes Psychedelic research Psychedelic studies Psychedelic science Psychedelic effects Psychedelic compounds Psychological well-being Mental wellness Psychiatric health Emotional health Distress reduction Suicide prevention Psychedelic medicine Therapeutic psychedelics Psychedelic treatment |
| Citations | 45 |
| Key findings | Classic tryptamine use was associated with decreased odds of psychological distress and suicidal thinking, whereas novel phenethylamine use was associated with increased odds of suicidal thinking and planning. |
Abstract
IntroductionThe majority of contemporary psychedelic research has focused on ayahuasca, lysergic acid diethylamide, and psilocybin, though there are hundreds of novel psychedelic compounds that may have clinical utility. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of classic and novel phenethylamine, tryptamine, and lysergamide psychedelics via a large, nationally representative population-based survey.MethodsWe tested the unique associations of lifetime classic and novel phenethylamine, tryptamine, and lysergamide psychedelics with past month psychological distress and past year suicidality among respondents pooled from years 2008–2017 of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (weighted N = 260,964,827).ResultsLifetime classic tryptamine use was associated with a decreased odds of past month psychological distress [aOR = 0.76; (0.69–0.83)] and past year suicidal thinking [aOR = 0.79; (0.72–0.87)]. Lifetime novel phenethylamine use, on the other hand, was associated with an increased odds of past year suicidal thinking [aOR = 1.44; (1.06–1.95)] and past year suicidal planning [aOR = 1.60; (1.06–2.41)]. No other significant associations were found.Discussion and ConclusionsThese findings, which may be driven by differences in pharmacodynamics, suggest that classic tryptamines may hold the greatest therapeutic potential of the psychedelics, whereas novel phenethylamines may pose risk for harm. The present findings thus support continued research on the clinical application of classic tryptamines. Though the current results caution against the clinical utility of novel phenethylamines, further study of these and other novel psychedelic substances is nonetheless warranted to better understand their potential application.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 40
- The abuse potential of medical psilocybin according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act Neuropharmacology June 5, 2018
- A narrative synthesis of research with 5-MeO-DMT. Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2022
- Effects of Naturalistic Psychedelic Use on Depression, Anxiety, and Well-Being: Associations With Patterns of Use, Reported Harms, and Transformative Mental States. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022
- Associations between lifetime classic psychedelic use and markers of physical health Journal of Psychopharmacology March 9, 2021
- MDMA/ecstasy use and psilocybin use are associated with lowered odds of psychological distress and suicidal thoughts in a sample of US adults Journal of Psychopharmacology 2022
and 35 more in the library
Cites 42
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Journal of Psychopharmacology September 11, 2014
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- Safety and Efficacy of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anxiety Associated With Life-threatening Diseases The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease March 4, 2014
and 37 more in the library