Epidemiology of classic psychedelic substances: results from a Norwegian internet convenience sample
Frontiers in Psychiatry November 13, 2023 Tor-Morten Kvam, Malin V Uthaug, Kristoffer A A Andersen et al. 21 citations
In a survey of 770 Norwegian adults who had a memorable experience with a classic psychedelic substance like psilocybin or LSD, most used the substance for recreational (46.1%) or therapeutic (42.3%) reasons. Psilocybin was the most common substance for the memorable experience. Many participants reported self-perceived symptoms of mental disorders and substance use disorders, and most said their condition improved after the experience. Adverse reactions were usually mild and short-lived, but 4.2% lasted a year or more, and 2.9% had persisting flashbacks for a year or more. The findings highlight both benefits and long-term risks in a self-selecting sample.