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Noah W Sweat

Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.

3 papers in the library · 150 citations · publishing 2017-2022

Papers

The relationships of classic psychedelic use with criminal behavior in the United States adult population

Journal of Psychopharmacology October 17, 2017 Peter S. Hendricks, Michael Crawford, Karen L. Cropsey et al. 91 citations

Lifetime use of classic psychedelics, including psilocybin, is associated with lower odds of recent larceny/theft, assault, and arrests for property or violent crimes among over 480,000 U.S. adults surveyed from 2002 to 2014. In contrast, illicit use of other drugs generally increased the odds of these criminal behaviors. Lifetime classic psychedelic use was linked to higher odds of drug distribution, similar to other substances. The findings suggest a potential protective effect of psilocybin against antisocial criminal behavior and support further clinical research in forensic settings.

Prevalence and epidemiological associates of novel psychedelic use in the United States adult population.

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) September 1, 2019 James D Sexton, Michael S Crawford, Noah W Sweat et al. 33 citations

Novel psychedelics, such as 2C-B, 2C-I, and 2C-E, are used by a very small fraction of the U.S. adult population (0.12%). Users tend to be younger, male, White, more educated but with lower income, and almost all have also used classic psychedelics. Compared to those who have used only classic psychedelics, people who have used novel psychedelics are more likely to report past-year suicidal thinking and planning, though novel psychedelic use alone is not associated with psychological distress or suicidality. The findings suggest novel psychedelics may differ from classic psychedelics in their mental health associations, but more research is needed.

Special considerations for evaluating psilocybin-facilitated psychotherapy in vulnerable populations

Neuropharmacology May 13, 2022 Cynthia E. Ortiz, Haley Maria Dourron, Noah W Sweat et al. 26 citations

Psilocybin-facilitated psychotherapy may be effective across many mental health conditions, but vulnerable populations, who carry a disproportionate mental health burden, have been largely excluded from clinical research. This report highlights the need to include these groups in studies, considering their problematic historical context and differential experiences with psychedelics. It offers actionable recommendations for future research, such as improved recruitment strategies, careful communication of subjective effects, building therapeutic alliance, multicultural competence, and flexible study designs. The authors call for expanded and improved research in this rapidly advancing field.