Psychedelics and workplace harm
Frontiers in Psychiatry – June 16, 2023
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Lifetime classic psychedelic use is linked to better mental health outcomes, particularly for employed individuals. Analyzing 484,732 people, **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** show lower **psychological distress** for those working, volunteering, or retired. Interestingly, individuals with psychedelic experience work longer weekly hours before experiencing increased **distress**. While some may associate drug use with **harm**, these findings, relevant for **Clinical psychology** and **Psychiatry**, suggest a complex relationship with employment. This challenges assumptions often seen in fields like **Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis**, highlighting the need to understand **Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior** more broadly.
Abstract
This study aims to understand the relationship between Lifetime Classic Psychedelic Use (LCPU), employment status, and weekly work hours on levels of psychological distress. The data used for this analysis is pooled from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from 2008–2019 and includes a sample size of 484,732 individuals. The findings suggest that LCPU and being employed are independently associated with better health. Additionally, the results indicate that psychedelic use is associated with lower distress for those who are employed, volunteer, retired, or permanently disabled. However, those who are unemployed, full-time students, or homemakers may experience higher levels of distress with psychedelic use. Interestingly, the analysis also suggests that those who use psychedelics are working longer hours per week before experiencing an increase in stress. Overall, the study suggests that psychedelics are not likely to have a negative impact on employment outcomes.