Demographic, Mental Health, and Substance Use Correlates of Self-Described Medicinal Use, Recreational Use, and Non-Use of Hallucinogenic Drugs

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 across 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 preventive and harm reduction interventions for hallucinogen use.