Minimal Link Between Psychedelic Use and Schizotypal Traits, Study Finds
Recent research indicates that psychedelic substances, such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, are associated with minimal risk of exacerbating schizotypal traits or inducing long-term perceptual disturbances. As psychedelics gain recognition in mainstream medicine for their potential benefits in treating various mental health conditions, understanding their safety profile becomes crucial.
A study published in PNAS Nexus examined the effects of psychedelic use in a sample of 654 individuals who reported planning their own psychedelic experiences. Participants, predominantly male and well-educated, were surveyed before and after their experiences, with follow-ups at two and four weeks. While some users reported lingering visual phenomena, such as intensified colors and afterimages, most did not find these experiences distressing. Importantly, the study found a weak correlation between lifetime psychedelic use and traits like delusional ideation or magical thinking; notably, delusional thinking slightly decreased on average one month after use.
Factors like personality absorption and younger age emerged as predictors of persistent visual aftereffects, aligning with previous findings that younger individuals may be more susceptible to hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Overall, the research suggests that psychedelics are unlikely to cause or worsen schizotypal traits, although careful empirical evaluation of their risks remains essential as policies around their use evolve.
This study underscores the importance of thorough safety assessments in integrating psychedelics into medical practice, promoting a balanced understanding of their benefits and potential risks.
You can learn more about the findings at source.
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