Prevalence and predictors of sexual and physical violence during psychedelic use in a US population-based study.
Christina Chwyl, Michael S. Ladka, Joshua C. Black, Karilynn M. Rockhill, Richard C. Dart, Jason B. Luoma, Andrew A. Monte
World Psychiatry June 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/wps.70071 via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a US population-based study, about 1 in 20 people who used psychedelics reported experiencing sexual or physical violence during their use. Younger age, female gender, and use of certain psychedelics like MDMA were associated with higher risk. The findings suggest that while most psychedelic experiences are safe, a minority involve violence, highlighting the need for harm reduction strategies.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Population-based cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults who reported psychedelic use |
| Key finding | Approximately 5% of psychedelic users experienced sexual or physical violence during use, with higher risk among younger individuals, women, and users of MDMA. |
Abstract
Prevalence and predictors of sexual and physical violence during psychedelic use in a US population-based study.