Comparing Mental Health across Distinct Groups of Users of Psychedelics, MDMA, Psychostimulants, and Cannabis
Ansgar Rougemont-Bücking, Henrik Jungaberle, Milan Scheidegger, Marco C.g. Merlo, Véronique S. Grazioli, Jean‐bernard Daeppen, Gerhard Gmel, Joseph Studer
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 6, 2019 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2019.1571258 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAmong 4,475 young adult men in Switzerland, those who used psychedelics in the past year showed no significant difference in mental health (depressive symptoms, overall mental health, perceived stress, life satisfaction) compared to those who used no drugs. In contrast, users of MDMA, psychostimulants, and cannabis had poorer mental health. These effects were influenced by stressful life events and past family functioning. The findings suggest that some men may use substances to cope with life adversity, and the lack of a negative mental health association with psychedelics warrants further research in both men and women.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4,475 |
| Population | Young adult men in Switzerland |
| Duration | Past 12 months' use |
| Topics | Cannabis MDMA |
| Keywords | Mental health Hallucinogen Psychiatry |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key finding | Psychedelics users showed no significant mental health differences from non-users, while MDMA, psychostimulant, and cannabis users had poorer mental health, with effects influenced by stress factors. |
Abstract
Differences in mental health (MH) of users of distinct psychoactive substances have been shown. Both substance use (SU) and MH in users are influenced by stressful life events. This study compared MH parameters in distinct groups of substance users and evaluated the impact of stress factors on these outcomes. Data stem from the longitudinal Swiss Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF) involving 4,475 young adult men. Distinct groups were created for the past 12 months' use of psychedelics, MDMA, psychostimulants, and cannabis. MH measurements (depressive symptoms, overall MH, perceived stress, life satisfaction) were used as outcome variables, while indicators of past family functioning and stressful life events served as covariates. The MH of psychedelics users was not significantly different from the no-drug-use group, whereas poorer MH was found in the other SU groups. Observed effects were influenced by the tested stress factors. The absence of association between use of psychedelics and worsening of MH deserves further investigation in male and female samples. Stressful life experiences must be considered when assessing the MH of users of illicit substances. These findings suggest that some men practice SU as self-medication to cope with life adversity.