Demographic, Mental Health, and Substance Use Correlates of Self-Described Medicinal Use, Recreational Use, and Non-Use of Hallucinogenic Drugs
| dc.contributor.author | Coelho, Sophie | |
| dc.contributor.author | Kim, Hyoun | |
| dc.contributor.author | Keough, Matthew | |
| dc.contributor.author | Dawson, Samantha J. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Tabri, Nassim | |
| dc.contributor.author | Hodgins, David | |
| dc.contributor.author | Shead, N. Will | |
| dc.contributor.author | Wardell, Jeffrey | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-05-21T22:46:13Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-05-21T22:46:13Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-09-17 | |
| dc.description | This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11469-024-01381-2 | |
| dc.description.abstract | There is growing public interest in the use of hallucinogens to manage mental health symptoms (i.e., medicinal hallucinogen use). Yet, limited research has examined the correlates of hallucinogen use for self-described medicinal purposes––an important gap given that self-medication may confer increased risk for harm. Accordingly, this study examined the demographic, mental health, and substance use correlates of medicinal hallucinogen use relative to no hallucinogen use and to exclusively recreational hallucinogen use. Adults reporting no hallucinogen use (n=4837), medicinal hallucinogen use (n=110), and exclusively recreational hallucinogen use (n=240) were recruited from within Canada via Prolific and from six Canadian universities. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, mental health, hallucinogen use, and other substance use. Logistic regression analyses showed that greater depression severity; more frequent use of alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine; and using several illegal and prescription drugs were associated with an increased likelihood of medicinal hallucinogen use relative to no hallucinogen use. Greater depression severity was also associated with an increased likelihood of medicinal hallucinogen use relative to exclusively recreational hallucinogen use. Further, participants who used hallucinogens for medicinal reasons reported more frequent hallucinogen use relative to those who used hallucinogens for exclusively recreational reasons. Results suggest that poorer mental health and greater use of other substances differentiate people who use hallucinogens for medicinal reasons from people who do not use hallucinogens or who use hallucinogens for exclusively recreational reasons. Further, medicinal hallucinogen use, relative to exclusively recreational hallucinogen use, is associated with using hallucinogens more frequently. Findings may inform targeted prevention and harm reduction interventions for hallucinogen use. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Coelho, S.G., Kim, H.S., Keough, M.T. et al. Demographic, Mental Health, and Substance Use Correlates of Self-Described Medicinal Use, Recreational Use, and Non-Use of Hallucinogenic Drugs. Int J Ment Health Addiction (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-024-01381-2 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 1557-1882 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 1557-1874 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11469-024-01381-2 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10315/42901 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | Hallucinogens | |
| dc.subject | Self-medication | |
| dc.subject | Psychedelics | |
| dc.subject | Psilocybin | |
| dc.subject | Ketamine | |
| dc.subject | Substance use | |
| dc.subject | College students | |
| dc.title | Demographic, Mental Health, and Substance Use Correlates of Self-Described Medicinal Use, Recreational Use, and Non-Use of Hallucinogenic Drugs | |
| dc.type | Article |