Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study
PLoS ONE – August 19, 2013
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Challenging long-held beliefs, psychedelics like psilocybin and mescaline are not an independent risk factor for mental health problems. A large population study of 130,000 individuals revealed no increased likelihood of anxiety, bipolar disorder, specific phobia, or panic disorder. This re-evaluates their role in psychiatry and clinical psychology. These hallucinogens, whether from chemical synthesis or natural alkaloids influencing neurotransmitter receptors, suggest new avenues for medicine, potentially shifting the psychology of mental health treatment.
Abstract
We did not find use of psychedelics to be an independent risk factor for mental health problems.