Is Use of Psychedelic Drugs a Risk or Protective Factor for Late-Life Cognitive Decline?
Gerontology & geriatric medicine January 1, 2024 Kaeleigh Fearn, Kallol Kumar Bhattacharyya 4 citations
Psychedelic drug use among middle-aged and older adults is linked to better executive function and fewer depressive symptoms, but not to improved episodic memory. Analyzing data from 2,503 participants in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, the findings show that after accounting for sociodemographic and health factors, those who used psychedelics had more favorable changes in executive function and lower levels of depressive symptoms. The results suggest potential cognitive and mental health benefits of psychedelics in later life, though more longitudinal research is needed to confirm these associations.