Turning online to tune in: Psychedelic information seeking in an era of renewed psychedelic curiosity

People who have used psychedelics, whether therapeutically or non-therapeutically, and those who have never used them all strongly prefer online sources for information about psychedelics. Different groups show distinct patterns in where they get information and what types of content they access, indicating varied online social learning environments for consumption practices. Online content influences both current and potential future use, even as public attention increasingly focuses on psychedelic therapy. Public health institutions could use these online channels to engage with the psychedelic resurgence.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims Online platforms are popular for exchanging information about psychedelics, including consumption advice. The recent resurgence of public interest in psychedelics will likely intensify this. We aim to further the understanding among researchers, policy makers, medical practitioners, harm reduction practitioners, and social workers, of contemporary psychedelic information exchange and its impact on consumption. With a social learning perspective and a focus on online content, we investigate the use of various sources and types of information by people who have used psychedelics therapeutically, non-therapeutically, or not at all. Methods We deployed an online survey, obtaining a purposive sample of over 1,200 respondents. Approx. 55% had used psychedelics. We included items on seeking, obtaining, and using information about psychedelics. Data was analyzed using comparative frequency tables, comparing respondents across lifetime use of psychedelics (yes/no) and reason for using (therapeutical/non-therapeutical). Results Data showed strong preference for, and use of, online psychedelic information in all groups of respondents. Across groups, considerable differences were observed in patterns of information exchange, including source preferences, sources where information had been obtained, and types of content accessed. Conclusions We found evidence of differing online social learning environments where consumption practices are exchanged. Despite an increasing public focus on psychedelic therapy, online content thus also affects other uses of psychedelics. This content is accessed by people who have or have not used psychedelics, and thus affects both present and potential future use. This can be leveraged by public health institutions wishing to gain a voice in the psychedelic resurgence.