Perceived risk of LSD varies with age and race: evidence from 2019 United States cross-sectional data.
Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology October 1, 2023 Nicholas L Bormann, Andrea N Weber, Benjamin Miskle et al. 6 citations
Perceptions of risk from psychedelics differ by race and age. Analyzing 2019 data from 41,679 respondents in the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, a majority rated both LSD (66.7%) and heroin (87.3%) as a great risk if used once or twice. White respondents and those reporting more than one race perceived significantly lower risk from LSD than other racial and ethnic groups. Perceived risk also increased significantly with age. These disparities likely reflect stigma and racial inequalities in drug-related crimes. As research into psychedelics’ therapeutic potential continues, these perceptions may shift.