Comparing Mental Health across Distinct Groups of Users of Psychedelics, MDMA, Psychostimulants, and Cannabis
Ansgar Rougemont-bücking, Henrik Jungaberle, Milan Scheidegger, Marco C.g. Merlo, Véronique S. Grazioli, Jean‐bernard Daeppen, Gerhard Gmel, Joseph Studer
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 6, 2019 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2019.1571258 via OpenAlex
Summary
The mental health of users of psychedelics was not significantly different from non-users, while users of MDMA, psychostimulants, and cannabis exhibited poorer mental health. This conclusion is based on data from 4,475 young adult men in the Swiss Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF). Stressful life events were found to influence mental health outcomes, indicating that some men may use substances as a form of self-medication to manage life stress.
Study at a glance
| Design | observational cohort |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4,475 |
| Population | young adult men |
| Key finding | Psychedelics users showed no significant difference in mental health compared to non-drug users, while other substance user groups had poorer mental health. |
Abstract
Differences in mental health (MH) of users of distinct psychoactive substances have been shown. Both substance use (SU) and MH in users are influenced by stressful life events. This study compared MH parameters in distinct groups of substance users and evaluated the impact of stress factors on these outcomes. Data stem from the longitudinal Swiss Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF) involving 4,475 young adult men. Distinct groups were created for the past 12 months' use of psychedelics, MDMA, psychostimulants, and cannabis. MH measurements (depressive symptoms, overall MH, perceived stress, life satisfaction) were used as outcome variables, while indicators of past family functioning and stressful life events served as covariates. The MH of psychedelics users was not significantly different from the no-drug-use group, whereas poorer MH was found in the other SU groups. Observed effects were influenced by the tested stress factors. The absence of association between use of psychedelics and worsening of MH deserves further investigation in male and female samples. Stressful life experiences must be considered when assessing the MH of users of illicit substances. These findings suggest that some men practice SU as self-medication to cope with life adversity.