Past-year LSD use increased more rapidly among business managers than among non-managers in the United States between 2006 and 2014. This difference was not explained by changes in managers' perceived risk of LSD or overall substance use. The findings suggest that hierarchical rank in the workplace is linked to rising LSD use, and that managers—both men and women—may be increasingly drawn to LSD for its potential to enhance creativity and competitive performance.
Lifetime use of LSD before job loss is associated with a higher likelihood of severe psychological distress afterward, not with resilience. Analyzing data from over 5 million unemployed, job-seeking individuals, the study found that those who used LSD prior to losing their job reported worse mental health following the stressful experience, even after accounting for sociodemographic factors. This contradicts earlier suggestions that classic psychedelics might confer psychological protection. The findings indicate that, in naturalistic settings, LSD use does not buffer against the distress of unemployment.