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Adolescent Psychedelic Use and Mental Health Is Associated with User Personality: A Representative National Study on Drug Use

Sjöström, David LU orcid ; Claesdotter-Knutsson, Emma LU ; Gripe, Isabella ; Thor, Siri and Kajonius, Petri LU (2025) In International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Abstract
It is still unknown how current trends in psychedelic use among adolescents are related to mental health. This study reports on the prevalence of psychedelic use in a Swedish representative nationwide drug survey and its association with mental health outcomes and user personality. A cross-sectional study using data from the latest 2024 Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN) school survey was conducted (N = 10,288 in 9th and 11th grades; response rate: 79%). Psychedelic use was measured along with mental health (General Anxiety, GAD-7, Daily dysfunction, and Satisfaction with Life) and personality traits (Big Five; TIPI). A total of 1.9% reported lifetime psychedelic use. Users had higher GAD-7 scores compared to... (More)
It is still unknown how current trends in psychedelic use among adolescents are related to mental health. This study reports on the prevalence of psychedelic use in a Swedish representative nationwide drug survey and its association with mental health outcomes and user personality. A cross-sectional study using data from the latest 2024 Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN) school survey was conducted (N = 10,288 in 9th and 11th grades; response rate: 79%). Psychedelic use was measured along with mental health (General Anxiety, GAD-7, Daily dysfunction, and Satisfaction with Life) and personality traits (Big Five; TIPI). A total of 1.9% reported lifetime psychedelic use. Users had higher GAD-7 scores compared to non-users (M: 9.7 vs. 5.4; Cohen’s d = 0.80) and differed in personality traits with higher neuroticism (d = 0.37) and lower conscientiousness (d = − 0.54). Psychedelic use did not add an explanation to mental health (ΔR2 = 0.01) in addition to user personality (ΔR2 = 0.32). Adolescent psychedelic use in Sweden is associated with poorer mental health, i.e., increased anxiety. Personality traits, particularly neuroticism, play a significant role, emphasizing the importance of individual differences in understanding adolescent psychedelic use. Public health policies should integrate education on psychedelic use and personality risk factors to inform adolescents and caregivers about potential risks and benefits. (Less)
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organization
publishing date
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Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
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in
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • scopus:105003829405
ISSN
1557-1882
DOI
10.1007/s11469-025-01481-7
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d9402ced-6998-40e4-b533-826b6205502a
date added to LUP
2025-05-12 16:50:27
date last changed
2025-05-13 08:44:07
@article{d9402ced-6998-40e4-b533-826b6205502a,
  abstract     = {{It is still unknown how current trends in psychedelic use among adolescents are related to mental health. This study reports on the prevalence of psychedelic use in a Swedish representative nationwide drug survey and its association with mental health outcomes and user personality. A cross-sectional study using data from the latest 2024 Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN) school survey was conducted (N = 10,288 in 9th and 11th grades; response rate: 79%). Psychedelic use was measured along with mental health (General Anxiety, GAD-7, Daily dysfunction, and Satisfaction with Life) and personality traits (Big Five; TIPI). A total of 1.9% reported lifetime psychedelic use. Users had higher GAD-7 scores compared to non-users (M: 9.7 vs. 5.4; Cohen’s d = 0.80) and differed in personality traits with higher neuroticism (d = 0.37) and lower conscientiousness (d = − 0.54). Psychedelic use did not add an explanation to mental health (ΔR2 = 0.01) in addition to user personality (ΔR2 = 0.32). Adolescent psychedelic use in Sweden is associated with poorer mental health, i.e., increased anxiety. Personality traits, particularly neuroticism, play a significant role, emphasizing the importance of individual differences in understanding adolescent psychedelic use. Public health policies should integrate education on psychedelic use and personality risk factors to inform adolescents and caregivers about potential risks and benefits.}},
  author       = {{Sjöström, David and Claesdotter-Knutsson, Emma and Gripe, Isabella and Thor, Siri and Kajonius, Petri}},
  issn         = {{1557-1882}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction}},
  title        = {{Adolescent Psychedelic Use and Mental Health Is Associated with User Personality: A Representative National Study on Drug Use}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11469-025-01481-7}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s11469-025-01481-7}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}