TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - Tripping into the unknown: exploring the experiences of first-time LSD users through global drug survey insights
JO  - Journal of psychopharmacology
A1  - Baxter, Luke
A1  - Puljević, Cheneal
A1  - Piatkowski, Tim
A1  - Ferris, Jason
A1  - Davies, Emma L.
A1  - Barratt, Monica J.
A1  - Winstock, Adam
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - BACKGROUND: The recreational use of LSD, a synthetic psychedelic drug, has surged in recent years, coinciding with a renewed research focus on its potential psychotherapeutic properties. <br><br>AIM: This study aims to describe the experiences and perceptions of individuals engaging in LSD use for the first time, derived from a large international sample. <br><br>METHODS: This study utilised 2018 Global Drug Survey data collected from 6 November 2017 to 10 January 2018. Participants who initiated LSD use in the preceding 12 months answered questions on their experiences, social settings, harm-reduction behaviours, and demographics. Descriptive statistics were employed, and characteristics of those seeking emergency medical treatment (EMT) and those not planning further LSD use were compared with other respondents. <br><br>RESULTS: Among 3340 respondents who used LSD in the past year, their first-time experiences generally exceeded expectations, with 97.7% expressing excitement. Adverse and unwanted side effects were rarely reported, and only 17 individuals needed EMT. Feelings of fear were reported by most (64.1%), but only very mildly and not enough to put them off from wanting to use LSD again. <br><br>DISCUSSION: Although the occurrence of unwanted side effects seems low and the LSD experience is generally pleasurable, vigilance amid the rising illicit use of LSD through harm-reduction education is still important in preventing possible risks.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0269-8811
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/02698811241254837
ID  - ref1
ER  -