@article{ref1,
title="MDMA/ecstasy use and psilocybin use are associated with lowered odds of psychological distress and suicidal thoughts in a sample of US adults",
journal="Journal of psychopharmacology",
year="2022",
author="Jones, Grant M. and Nock, Matthew K.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and rates within the United States have risen over the past two decades. Hence, there is a critical need for novel tools to treat suicidal ideation and related mental health conditions. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)/ecstasy and classic psychedelics may be two such tools. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess non-causal associations between MDMA/ecstasy and classic psychedelic use and psychological distress and suicide risk. <br><br>METHODS: In this study, we examined the aforementioned associations among 484,732 adult participants in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008-2019). <br><br>RESULTS: Lifetime MDMA/ecstasy use was associated with reduced odds of past year suicidal thinking (10% reduced odds; odds ratio (OR) = 0.90; 95% confidence interval, CI = (0.84-0.97); p < 0.01) and past year suicidal planning (OR = 0.88; 95% CI = (0.78-0.99); p < 0.05). Furthermore, lifetime psilocybin use was associated with reduced odds of past month psychological distress (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = (0.73-0.84); p < 0.001) and past year suicidal thinking (OR = 0.90; 95% CI = (0.83-0.96); p < 0.01). Finally, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was associated with increased odds of past year suicidal thinking (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = (1.00-1.15); p < 0.05). <br><br>CONCLUSION: MDMA/ecstasy and psilocybin use are associated with reduced odds of suicidal thinking and related outcomes-though experimental studies are needed to determine whether these associations are causal. These findings call for more research into the efficacy of MDMA/ecstasy and classic psychedelics for treating psychological distress and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and for updated drug legislation that allows for further investigation into these substances.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0269-8811",
doi="10.1177/02698811211058923",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/02698811211058923"
}