Psychedelic Medicine

Association

Classic psychedelics, health behavior, and physical health

Excerpts from the publication

Background
Preliminary evidence suggests that classic psychedelics may be effective in the treatment of some psychiatric disorders, yet little remains known about their effects on health behavior and physical health.

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to investigate associations of lifetime classic psychedelic use and psychological insight during one’s most insightful classic psychedelic experience with health behavior and physical health.

Methods
Using data representative of the US population with regard to sex, age, and ethnicity (N = 2822), this study examined associations of lifetime classic psychedelic use and psychological insight with health behavior and physical health.

Results
Lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with more healthy tobacco-related and diet-related behavior (β = 0.05 and 0.09, respectively). Among lifetime classic psychedelic users (n = 613), greater Psychological Insight Questionnaire (PIQ) total scale, PIQ Avoidance and Maladaptive Patterns (AMP) subscale, and PIQ Goals and Adaptive Patterns (GAP) subscale scores were each associated with higher odds of more healthy exercise-related behavior [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) (95% confidence interval, CI = 1.38 (1.13–1.68), 1.38 (1.13–1.68), and 1.32 (1.10–1.60), respectively] and higher odds of having a healthy body mass index (BMI) [aOR (95% CI) = 1.32 (1.07–1.63), 1.36 (1.10–1.69), and 1.23 (1.01–1.50), respectively], and greater GAP subscale scores were associated with more healthy diet-related behavior (β = 0.10). All PIQ scales were positively associated with some health behavior improvements (overall, diet, exercise) attributed to respondents’ most insightful classic psychedelic experience (β = 0.42, 0.18, and 0.17; β = 0.40, 0.19, and 0.17; and β = 0.40, 0.15, and 0.15, respectively), but only PIQ total scale and AMP subscale scores were positively associated with alcohol-related health behavior improvements (β = 0.13 and 0.16, respectively).

Conclusion
Although these results cannot demonstrate causality, they suggest that psychological insight during a classic psychedelic experience may lead to positive health behavior change and better physical health in some domains, in particular in those related to weight management.

Read more

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of PTSD: study design and rationale for phase 3 trials based on pooled analysis of six phase 2 randomized controlled trials

Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of the Psychedelic N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents

Tripping to Cope: Coping Strategies and Use of Hallucinogens during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Three Cultural Contexts

Ketamine, Esketamine, and Arketamine: Their Mechanisms of Action and Applications in the Treatment of Depression and Alleviation of Depressive Symptoms

Psychedelic treatment for co-occurring alcohol misuse and post-traumatic stress symptoms among United States Special Operations Forces Veterans

Safety of ibogaine administration in detoxification of opioid dependent individuals: a descriptive open-label observational study