Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Hallucinogens and Psychedelics

Hallucinogens and Psychedelics

Hallucinogens are psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perceptual experiences, generating unreal visual and sensory images. Often referred to as psychedelic drugs — a term derived from the Greek words "psyche" (mind) and "delos" (revealing) — these substances include marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), among others. These drugs vary in intensity and effects.
Marijuana, derived from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)...

CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents

CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents

Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...

Altered States of Awareness

Altered States of Awareness

Altered states of consciousness represent significant deviations from one's normal mental state. These deviations can range from subtle changes in awareness to profound transformations in perception, thought processes, and sensory experiences. Altered states of consciousness can be triggered by various factors, including drug use, meditation, hypnosis, illness, or even intense fatigue.
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain that...

An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs

An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive drugs impact brain function, influencing perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior. These substances are grouped based on their effects and the mechanisms by which they act.
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...

Stress and Mental Health

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Development of Adaptive Coping From Mid to Late Life: A 70-Year Longitudinal Study of Defense Maturity and Its Psychosocial Correlates.

The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2017

Same author

Reply letter: Mental health of people who have used classical psychedelics and no other illicit drugs.

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)·2015

Same author

The link between use of psychedelic drugs and mental health problems.

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)·2015

Same author

Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: a population study.

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)·2015

Same author

Over 30 million psychedelic users in the United States.

F1000Research·2014

Same author

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)·2012

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study

Published on: August 18, 2020

Psychedelics and mental health: a population study.

Teri S Krebs¹, Pål-Ørjan Johansen

¹Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.

|August 27, 2013

Summary

Lifetime psychedelic use, including LSD and psilocybin, was not associated with increased mental health problems in adults. This study found no evidence that psychedelics are an independent risk factor for mental health issues.

More Related Videos

HSV-Mediated Transgene Expression of Chimeric Constructs to Study Behavioral Function of GPCR Heteromers in Mice

HSV-Mediated Transgene Expression of Chimeric Constructs to Study Behavioral Function of GPCR Heteromers in Mice

Published on: July 9, 2016

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study

Published on: August 18, 2020

HSV-Mediated Transgene Expression of Chimeric Constructs to Study Behavioral Function of GPCR Heteromers in Mice

HSV-Mediated Transgene Expression of Chimeric Constructs to Study Behavioral Function of GPCR Heteromers in Mice

Published on: July 9, 2016

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Neuroscience
Public Health

Background:

Classical serotonergic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline) are not known to cause brain damage or addiction.
Historical and contemporary use of psychedelics is widespread, with millions in the US having prior experience.
Existing clinical data do not indicate that psychedelics lead to long-term mental health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between lifetime psychedelic consumption and current mental health status in the adult US population.
To determine if psychedelic use is a risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes.
To analyze associations with various mental health indicators, including psychological distress and psychiatric disorders.

Main Methods:

Utilized data from the 2001-2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (n=130,152).
Employed standardized screening measures for past-year mental health, including serious psychological distress (K6), mental health treatment utilization, and symptoms of eight psychiatric disorders.
Conducted multivariate logistic regression analysis, controlling for sociodemographic variables, illicit drug use, risk-taking behaviors, and trauma exposure.

Main Results:

13.4% of respondents reported lifetime psychedelic use (n=21,967).
No significant associations were found between lifetime or past-year psychedelic use and increased rates of any mental health outcomes.
Psychedelic use was, in some instances, linked to a lower prevalence of mental health problems.

Conclusions:

The study concluded that psychedelic use is not an independent risk factor for mental health problems.
Findings suggest that psychedelics do not pose a significant risk to mental well-being in the general adult population.
Further research may explore the nuanced relationship between psychedelic use and mental health outcomes.