Past-Year Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Use in United States Sexual Minorities from 2015 to 2019

Between 2015 and 2019, past-year LSD use rose 43% among heterosexual individuals, 58% among bisexual individuals, and 106% among lesbian/gay individuals in the United States. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people were 3.3 to 4.4 times more likely to report past-year LSD use than heterosexual people, depending on the year. Living in poverty, being divorced versus married, living in a small metropolitan area versus a non-metropolitan area, and a past-year suicide attempt were unique correlates of LSD use for heterosexual individuals compared with LGB individuals. The findings suggest a need for targeted harm reduction strategies based on sexual identity.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to characterize changes in estimated past-year lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) use among sexual minorities in the United States using nationally representative data and to compare correlates of LSD use between lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals (LGB) and heterosexual individuals. Method: Using National Survey on Drug Use and Health data on adults from 2015 to 2019, we investigated correlates of past-year LSD use among LGB individuals compared with heterosexual individuals and changes in the prevalence of past-year LSD use during that period. Correlates were identified with weighted logistic regression. Results: LGB individuals constituted approximately 5% of the sample. From 2015 to 2019 estimated prevalence of past-year LSD use rose 43% in heterosexual individuals, 58% in bisexual individuals, and 106% in lesbian/gay individuals. The relative risk for LSD use ranged from 3.3 to 4.4 times higher for LGB individuals compared with heterosexual individuals during the study period, depending on the year. Interaction analysis found that living in poverty, being divorced versus married, living in a small metropolitan area versus a non-metropolitan area, and past-year suicide attempt were unique correlates of past-year LSD use for heterosexual individuals compared with LGB individuals. Conclusions: Sexual minorities are at increased risk of past-year LSD use compared with heterosexual individuals. There were notable increases in past-year LSD use from 2015 to 2019 among heterosexual, bisexual, and lesbian/gay individuals, with a marked increase in the latter group. These findings highlight the possible need for targeted LSD harm reduction strategies based on sexual identity and more inclusive research on psychedelic use.