Minorities’ diminished psychedelic returns: Depression, suicide, distress, and serious mental illness

Racial and ethnic minorities appear to gain fewer mental health benefits from psychedelic use compared to non-Hispanic Whites, and in some cases psychedelic use is linked to worse mental health among Black and Asian populations. Analyzing data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (2005–2019) on nearly 600,000 individuals, the study examined associations between various psychedelics and outcomes including depression, suicidal ideation, and psychological distress. While psychedelic use was associated with better mental health among non-Hispanic Whites, there were fewer such positive associations among Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals, and just as many instances where use was linked to worse mental health, especially for Black and Asian groups.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Although there is growing support for the protective effects of psychedelics on mental health, recent evidence finds racial and ethnic minorities gain fewer benefits. This paper aims to test whether the disparate mental health outcomes associated with psychedelic use extend across multiple racial and ethnic groups, including non-Hispanic Whites, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics. In order to understand the relationship between race/ethnicity, psychedelics, and mental health, this study draws from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data from 2005 to 2019, with a sample size of 596,187 individuals. The study examines the association between various psychedelics (such as MDMA, Psilocybin, DMT, Ayahuasca, Peyote/Mescaline, and LSD) and one measure of Lifetime Classic Psychedelics Use (LCPU) on multiple mental health measures, including depression, suicidal ideation, suicide planning, suicide attempts, psychological distress, and serious mental illness. Additionally, the analysis compares health outcomes between non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, non-Hispanic Asians, and Hispanics. A series of nested logistic and ordinary least square regression models are used in the analysis, conducted using Stata 18. The results reveal significant variation in the association between psychedelic use and mental health outcomes. Most notably, there are more instances where psychedelic use is associated with better mental health among non-Hispanic Whites compared to minority populations. Moreover, not only are there fewer associations between psychedelic use and better mental health among Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals, but there are also just as many instances where psychedelic use is associated with worse mental health, particularly among Black and Asian populations.