The association of psychedelic use and opioid use disorders among illicit users in the United States.
Vincent D Pisano, Nathaniel P Putnam, Hannah M. Kramer, Kevin J Franciotti, John H. Halpern, Selma C Holden
Journal of Psychopharmacology May 2017 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117691453 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 44,000 |
| Population | Illicit opioid users who completed the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2008 to 2013 |
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Abuse Heroin Opioid Psychedelics |
| Key findings | Among people with a history of illicit opioid use, psychedelic drug use was associated with 27% reduced risk of past-year opioid dependence (weighted risk ratio 0.73) and 40% reduced risk of past-year opioid abuse (weighted risk ratio 0.60). Marijuana use was associated with 55% reduced risk of past-year opioid abuse, while other illicit drugs were largely associated with increased risk. The authors suggest these findings are consistent with prior reports of psychedelic treatment efficacy, though the observational design cannot establish causation. |
Abstract
Preliminary studies show psychedelic compounds administered with psychotherapy are potentially effective and durable substance misuse interventions. However, little is known about the association between psychedelic use and substance misuse in the general population. This study investigated the association between psychedelic use and past year opioid use disorders within illicit opioid users. While controlling for socio-demographic covariates and the use of other substances, the relationship between classic psychedelic use and past year opioid use disorders was analyzed within 44,000 illicit opioid users who completed the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2008 to 2013. Among respondents with a history of illicit opioid use, psychedelic drug use is associated with 27% reduced risk of past year opioid dependence (weighted risk ratio = 0.73 (0.60-0.89) p = 0.002) and 40% reduced risk of past year opioid abuse (weighted risk ratio = 0.60 (0.41-0.86) p = 0.006). Other than marijuana use, which was associated with 55% reduced risk of past year opioid abuse (weighted risk ratio = 0.45 (0.30-0.66) p < 0.001), no other illicit drug was associated with reduced risk of past year opioid dependence or abuse. Experience with psychedelic drugs is associated with decreased risk of opioid abuse and dependence. Conversely, other illicit drug use history is largely associated with increased risk of opioid abuse and dependence. These findings suggest that psychedelics are associated with positive psychological characteristics and are consistent with prior reports suggesting efficacy in treatment of substance use disorders.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy for Addiction: Results from a Preliminary Observational Study in Canada Rural aboriginal population | 2013 | Observational study | |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
| Breakdown of long-range temporal dependence in default mode and attention networks during deep sleep Human participants across the nonrapid eye movement sleep cycle | 2013 | Observational cohort | |
| Assessment of addiction severity among ritual users of ayahuasca Regular ayahuasca users (jungle-based and urban-based) and matched controls | 2010 | Observational cohort | n = 127 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 78
- Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. Pharmacology & Therapeutics May 1, 2019
- The abuse potential of medical psilocybin according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act Neuropharmacology June 5, 2018
- Long-term effects of psychedelic drugs: A systematic review Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews March 16, 2020
- Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews December 16, 2020
- Psychedelics: Where we are now, why we got here, what we must do Neuropharmacology February 21, 2018
and 73 more in the library
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