A review of 24 studies on Transcendental Meditation (TM) for treating and preventing substance misuse found positive effects across all studies, including those with noninstitutionalized users, treatment program participants, and prisoners with heavy use histories. While some survey studies could not exclude self-selection or responder biases, longitudinal random-assignment studies with objective measures also showed positive results. The evidence indicates TM addresses multiple factors underlying chemical dependence, offering immediate distress relief and long-term improvements in well-being, self-esteem, personal empowerment, and psychophysiological health.
People who used LSD more frequently were less likely to understand themselves and others, show consistency between their stated values and behavior, or feel in control of their lives. However, frequency of LSD use was not linked to differences in general academic or career competence. More frequent users were more alienated from traditional societal values and more engaged in alternative lifestyles. The authors discuss possible reasons for these patterns.
A pilot study of patients hospitalized for psychiatric disorders linked to LSD use between 1965 and 1967 found that these individuals tended to come from families marked by strife, faulty communication, and exploitive child-rearing practices. However, these family factors were not unique or remarkable for the age group. The authors concluded that searching for a specific family constellation that breeds LSD or drug users would not be fruitful, as predictions based on such data are unreliable.