Search Here

Lifetime use of LSD is associated with increased psychological distress following job loss in a new study, contradicting previous assumptions about the psychological resilience of psychedelic users.

Conducted by Benjamin Korman, formerly of the University of Konstanz, Germany, the study utilized data from the 2008-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Analyzing responses from 15,854 adults who had been employed within the past year but were currently unemployed and job-seeking, Korman focused on the impact of prior LSD use on psychological outcomes.

Among the respondents, 520 reported having used LSD before losing their jobs. According to the analysis, these individuals were approximately 1.6 to 1.7 times more likely to report severe psychological distress within the past month compared to non-users. Additionally, prior LSD use correlated with increased symptoms of non-severe psychological distress, findings that remained significant even after adjusting for demographic factors.

Dr. Korman noted that while the study did not establish a causal link between LSD use and distress after job loss, it challenges assumptions about psychedelics enhancing resilience to stress. Notably, the study, published in PLOS ONE, was unable to account for the timing between LSD use and job loss, suggesting potential complexities in the relationship.

As per Neuroscience News, the study's scope is limited to LSD and cannot generalize findings to other psychedelics, different stressors, or clinical applications of LSD. Dr. Korman emphasized the study's contribution in questioning previous beliefs regarding the psychological benefits of LSD, particularly in contexts of significant life changes like unemployment.

"This study brings into question previous findings linking classic psychedelic use to psychological strengths and resilience by demonstrating that prior use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is associated with greater psychological distress following later job loss," Korman remarked.

Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG-German Research Foundation) through Germany's Excellence Strategy, this research highlights the need for additional studies to grasp the intricate impact of LSD on mental health across various life situations.