Psychedelic Drug Use by Adolescents
Social Work July 1, 1968 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1093/sw/13.3.33 via OpenAlex
Summary
Adolescent use of LSD may lead to significant negative consequences, including increased vulnerability to panic and psychosis, distraction from crucial developmental tasks that can harm long-term mental health, and a reduction in the political engagement of sensitive youths. These patterns of use highlight important implications for future human development.
Study at a glance
| Population | adolescents using LSD |
|---|---|
| Key finding | LSD use among adolescents is associated with vulnerability to panic states, distraction from developmental tasks, and decreased political engagement. |
Abstract
The author presents background about the growth of the psychedelic drug culture among adolescents, concentrating on the implications of the patterns of use of a major psychedelic drug, LSD, for future human development. Three areas of consequence are delineated: (1) the vulnerability of many persons who use LSD to marked panic states and psychoses, (2) the diversion of those in their middle and late teens from essential developmental tasks with longer range mental health hazards, and (3) the political deactivization of those youths most talented and sensitive to societal imperfections.