#psychiatric therapeutics
In recent years, hallucinogens ranging from LSD and ecstasy (MDMA/Molly) to salvia divinorum and ketamine have garnered renewed interest as potential as therapeutics for a variety of psychiatric conditions. Both LSD and ketamine, for example, are being widely studied as a treatment for major depression.
In a study published online April 28, 2022 in the journal Addictive Behaviors, researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine and New York University investigated how use of these substances outside of medical settings relates to subsequent psychological distress, depression and suicidality.
They examined data from a representative sampling of noninstitutionalized adults (2015-2020) who had reported specific drug use on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and whether that use was associated with any reported serious psychological distress, major depressive episode (MDE) or suicidality.
The researchers found that LSD was associated with an increased likelihood of MDE and suicidal thinking. Salvia divinorum, a plant species with psychoactive properties when its leaves are consumed by chewing, smoking or as a tea, was linked to increased suicidal thinking. The hallucinogens DMT, AMT and Foxy were associated with suicidal planning.
Sometimes called “Maria Pastora” or “Sally-D,” Salvia divinorum contains opioid-like compounds that induce hallucinations when the leaves are chewed, smoke or brewed in a tea. Researcher found the plant also induces an increased likelihood of suicidal thinking.
Conversely, ecstasy use was associated with a decreased likelihood of serious psychological distress, MDE and suicidal planning.
“The findings suggest there are differences among specific hallucinogens with respect to depression and suicidality,” wrote authors Kevin H. Yang, a fourth year medical student; Benjamin H. Han, MD, an assistant adjunct professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine; and Joseph J. Palamar of New York University. “More research is warranted to understand consequences of and risk factors for hallucinogen use outside of medical settings among adults experiencing depression or suicidality.”
— Scott LaFee
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (En Español: 1-888-628-9454; Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
