The Association of Classic Serotonergic Psychedelic Use and Intention of Future Use with Nature Relatedness

People who currently use ayahuasca/DMT, psilocybe mushrooms, LSD, cannabis, or MDMA/ecstasy score higher on nature relatedness than those who have never used these substances. After accounting for sociodemographic factors, only current and past use of ayahuasca/DMT remained positively associated with nature relatedness. Among those who reported an intention to use psilocybe mushrooms in the future, that intention was also linked to higher nature relatedness. The findings suggest that classic serotonergic psychedelics may have a unique relationship with nature relatedness, but the cross-sectional design cannot establish causation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the effects of different substances on nature relatedness (NR) in the general population. An online cross-sectional survey done in Brazil investigated use of ayahuasca/DMT, psilocybe mushrooms, LSD, MDMA/ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol. NR was assessed using the short-form version of the nature related scale (NR-6). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess group differences between substance naïve-individuals, past users, and current users of each substance. Regression models were used including all the substances and subsequently, sociodemographic variables. ANOVAs with substances which showed significantly higher NR-6 scores in the regression model were used in order to assess the effect of intention of future use on NR. ANOVAs indicated higher NR in users of classic serotonergic psychedelics (ayahuasca/DMT, psilocybe mushrooms, LSD), cannabis, and MDMA/ecstasy. Regression models showed that current use of ayahuasca/DMT and psilocybe mushrooms, and past use of LSD had a positive association with NR. When sociodemographic variables were added, only ayahuasca/DMT past and current use were positively associated with NR. Intention of future use was only significantly associated with NR in individuals who reported intention of future use of psilocybe mushrooms.