Contexts, Risks, and Affordances among Autistic Adults Using Psychedelics for Therapeutic Purposes: A Naturalistic, Mixed-Methods Study
Alvita Sam, Alexander de Foe, Aspasia Stacey Rabba, Paul Liknaitzky, Kyle T. Greenway, Stephanie Lake, Philippe Lucas
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Convergent parallel mixed-methods study; secondary analysis of survey data Qualitative |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6,378 |
| Population | Naturalistic psychedelic users, including a sub-sample of 212 autistic adults who use psychedelics therapeutically, compared with 6,166 other psychedelic users |
| Key findings | Autistic adults using psychedelics therapeutically reported higher rates of lifetime use of less common psychedelics and use in structured therapeutic settings, lower perceived psychedelic knowledge and experience, and greater prevalence of persisting hallucinations (65.09%) and clinically significant anxiety (57.35%) and depression (60.66%) than other psychedelic users. Qualitative themes described largely beneficial but context-dependent implications for wellbeing, and the authors conclude that adverse mental health indicators can co-exist with personal growth. |
Abstract
Background: Autistic adults are under-investigated in psychedelic research, despite speculated elevated likelihood of substance use for therapeutic and recreational purposes.Aims: This study explored contexts of naturalistic psychedelic use and wellbeing and mental health indicators in a group of Autistic adults using psychedelics for therapeutic purposes, and compared these with the broader population of naturalistic psychedelic users.Methods: Secondary analysis of Global Psychedelic Survey 2023 data (N = 6,378) was undertaken with a sub-sample of naturalistic psychedelic users who self-indicated being Autistic adults who used psychedelics therapeutically. A convergent parallel mixed-methods study design investigated quantitative between-group differences in contexts of naturalistic psychedelic use and mental health indicators, and explored qualitative implications for wellbeing in the Autistic sub-sample.Results: Compared with other psychedelic users (n = 6,166), the Autistic sub-sample (n = 212) reported higher rates of lifetime use of less common psychedelic substances and use in structured therapeutic settings, lower perceived psychedelic knowledge and experience, and greater prevalence of persisting hallucinations (65.09%) and clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (57.35%) and depression (60.66%) at the time of survey completion. Concurrently, three qualitative themes described largely beneficial, yet context-dependent implications for wellbeing within the Autistic sub-sample: Shifting Perspectives, Therapeutic Utility, and Conditional Affordances.Conclusions: Integrated mixed-methods findings highlighted that wellbeing-related affordances of psychedelic use in the Autistic sub-sample were sometimes contingent on context and support, and adverse mental health indicators could co-exist with personal growth. Future research should further evaluate quality-of-life and adverse outcomes from psychedelic use in Autistic populations.