Recreational Psychedelic Drugs Not a Risk to Mental Health, Study
A new study has revealed that the use of LSD and other psychedelic drugs do not lead to the development of mental health issues. As part of the study, scientists observed the behavior of more than 135,000 individuals - 19,000 of them admitting to using psychedelic drugs at some point in time.
The date provided by the National Health Survey (compiled between 2008-2011) was used to determine if there was any relation between mental issues like anxiety, suicidal thoughts, psychological distress, depression and the use of psychedelic drugs.
According to neuroscientist Teri Krebs and psychologist Pal Orjan Johansen, no association could be found and they could not find any evidence of psychedelic drugs causing neurological damage. The results from the study now support the findings established in a previous research.
"Over 30 million U.S. adults have tried psychedelics and there is not much evidence of health problems," said Pal-Orjan Johansen, clinical psychologist and author of the study.
The use of psychedelic drugs were banned during the 1970's over fears that it could lead to psychosis. While Johansen acknowledges the possibility of certain users experiencing a 'bad trip' when using these drugs, the study has now negated the common perception that the use of substances like LSD and mushrooms puts the person's life in direct danger.
Associate professor of Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit at John Hopkins University, Mathew Johnson said, "We are not claiming that no individuals have ever been harmed by psychedelics. Anecdotes about acid casualties can be very powerful - but these instances are very rare."
Johansen on the other hand, is determined to find out if the ban on psychedelic drug use as a public health measure is justified. While the authors of the study are aware that usage could negatively impact certain individuals but with proper oversight, it might attain more wide spread use within various medical communities in the years to come.
