Young adults, particularly those aged 18-25 and 26-34, are increasingly turning to LSD as a means of coping with depression, according to a study led by Claire Walsh, MA, from the department of translational epidemiology at New York State Psychiatric Institute. The findings highlight a notable trend, as this age group is not only more prone to depression over time but also perceives LSD as readily accessible. Despite the well-documented adverse effects of LSD, such as hypertension and panic attacks, young individuals seem to underestimate these risks. Public health messages advocating safe LSD use are deemed essential to counter potential harm in medically unsupervised environments.
The study draws on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), covering the years 2008 to 2019. The prevalence of past-year LSD use during this period increased significantly from 0.2% to 0.9%. This trend was observed both in adults with depression and those without. Among adults without depression, LSD use prevalence rose from 0.2% in 2008 to 0.8% in 2019. In adults with past-year depression, the prevalence increased from 0.5% in 2008 to 1.8% in 2019. The difference in LSD use between adults with and without depression was 0.8%, indicating a more substantial increase in participants with depression.
Notably, young adults exhibited the most significant increase in LSD use. For those aged 18-25 with depression, the prevalence difference was 3.3%, and for those aged 26-34, it was 2.7%. This rise in LSD use could be attributed to the heightened engagement of young adults online, where they might come across new practices like micro-dosing, which has gained popularity.
Despite concerns about LSD’s dangers, its consumption continues to escalate. The study emphasizes the necessity of public health messages to inform young individuals about the risks associated with LSD and promote safe practices, especially in situations without medical supervision.
