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.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
October 8, 2016
Noah W Sweat, Larry W. Bates, Peter S. Hendricks
48 citations
People who have used classic psychedelics and also had a mystical experience solved a creative problem-solving task faster than those who had not, with a large effect. However, the amount of lifetime mystical experience did not predict task performance, indicating that mystical experience does not explain the link between psychedelic use and creativity. The findings suggest that classic psychedelics may enhance creativity through mechanisms separate from those that produce mystical experiences, and that inducing mystical experiences may not be necessary for creativity-boosting interventions.
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.
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.