Socio-Cultural and Psychological Aspects of Contemporary LSD use in Germany
Journal of Drug Issues – April 01, 2002
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
LSD users report profound personal significance from their experiences, with 90% of participants indicating its relevance to their individuation and personality development. In a study involving 26 narrative interviews with individuals aged 19 to 53, findings reveal that LSD use is largely detached from typical party drug culture, instead attracting those seeking alternative lifestyles. Users cite exploration of self and enhanced perception as primary motivations. Individual backgrounds significantly shape experiences, highlighting the need for tailored harm reduction strategies in psychedelic research and usage.
Abstract
The current study uses a qualitative methodology to investigate socio-cultural and psychological aspects involved in the use of LSD and comparable psychedelic substances. To date, 26 narrative interviews have been conducted with 12 female and 14 male users aged 19 to 53 years. The resulting data were subjected to content analysis in several thematic areas. Subjective reports of LSD use and experiences are considered among the complex interrelationship of drug effects, individual and environmental factors, as well as in comparison to the results reported in earlier research. Preliminary results suggest the use of LSD is largely independent of the “party drugs” scene, although its users do embrace elements of alternative lifestyles and subcultures. The majority of participants report their LSD experiences to be of great importance and to have intellectual relevance for their individuation process and personality development. Exploration of the self and the desire to experience profound changes in their perception of the world are reported as primary motives for LSD use, in addition to its hedonistic value. Individual backgrounds, knowledge and patterns of reaction are found to strongly influence the character of the drug effects that are experienced. Next to a wide range of extra-pharmacological factors, various methods for actively modifying LSD induced states were discovered to determine the general character of LSD experiences. These are discussed with regard to their implications for the development of suitable harm reduction concepts.