LSD Linked to Lower Psychological Resilience & Increased Distress After Job Loss (2024 Study)

TLDR: LSD does not provide psychological resilience during stressful experiences such as job loss – and may increase psychological distress.

Highlights:

• The study analyzed data from 5,067,553 unemployed individuals seeking jobs.
• LSD users who had used the drug more than a year before job loss were the focus to ensure accurate results.
• LSD use prior to job loss was linked to higher likelihood of severe psychological distress afterward.
• The study found no evidence that LSD use provided psychological resilience during stressful experiences.

Source: PLoS One (2024)

Main Findings: LSD & Psychological Effects after Job Loss (2024)

1. Severe Psychological Distress

Unadjusted Results

LSD users had a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing severe psychological distress in the past 30 days compared to non-users.

The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for severe psychological distress was 1.7 (95% CI: 1.5-2.0, p < .001), indicating that LSD users were 70% more likely to experience severe distress.

Adjusted Results

After controlling for various sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, race, education, marital status, income, risky behavior, overall health, and health insurance, LSD users still showed a higher likelihood of severe psychological distress.

The adjusted OR was 1.6 (95% CI: 1.4-1.9, p < .001), meaning LSD users were 60% more likely to experience severe distress even after considering these factors.

2. Non-Severe Psychological Distress

Subsample Analysis

Among respondents without severe distress, LSD users showed higher levels of non-severe psychological distress, indicating more frequent feelings of nervousness, restlessness, or mild depression.

Negative binomial regression analysis was used for this subset.

Regression Results

The unadjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) for non-severe distress was 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1-1.4, p < .001), showing that LSD users had a 30% higher rate of non-severe distress symptoms.

After adjusting for the same sociodemographic variables, the adjusted IRR was 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1-1.3, p < .001), indicating a 20% higher rate of non-severe distress among LSD users.

Summary of Findings

• LSD users were significantly more likely to experience both severe and non-severe psychological distress compared to non-users.
• These findings were consistent even after accounting for various personal and demographic factors, demonstrating that LSD use was robustly associated with increased psychological distress.

How LSD May Reduce Psychological Resilience (Mechanisms)

Neurotransmitter Dysregulation

Serotonin System Overload

Frequent LSD use can lead to overstimulation of serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptors.

Chronic overstimulation may result in receptor desensitization or downregulation, reducing the efficacy of natural serotonin signaling.

This dysregulation can impair mood stability and resilience to stress.

Altered Dopamine Function

LSD also affects the dopamine system, which plays a critical role in reward processing and motivation.

Chronic interference with dopamine pathways might lead to an imbalance, contributing to mood disorders and decreased motivation, undermining psychological resilience.

Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Effects

Disrupted Neuroplasticity

While acute LSD use can enhance neuroplasticity, frequent use may lead to maladaptive changes in brain structure and function.

Persistent alterations in synaptic connectivity might impair cognitive flexibility and emotional regulation, critical components of psychological resilience.

Cognitive Overload

The hyperconnectivity induced by LSD can overwhelm cognitive processing capabilities, particularly if the brain is subjected to this state frequently.

This overload can result in cognitive fatigue, difficulties in concentrating, and impaired decision-making, all of which detract from an individual’s ability to cope with stress.

Default Mode Network (DMN) Dysfunction

Chronic DMN Suppression

Repeated suppression of the DMN, which is involved in self-referential thoughts and the sense of self, can lead to persistent disruptions in self-identity and self-awareness.

A stable sense of self is essential for navigating stress and adversity effectively.

Chronic DMN disruption might weaken the individual’s foundational psychological resilience.

Impaired Ego Function

The ego-dissolution effects of LSD, beneficial in controlled, therapeutic settings, can become detrimental with frequent use.

Persistent ego dissolution can lead to difficulties in maintaining personal boundaries and a coherent sense of self, essential for resilience and coping mechanisms.

Psychological and Behavioral Factors

Increased Emotional Volatility

Frequent LSD use can heighten emotional sensitivity and volatility, making individuals more prone to emotional disturbances.

This increased sensitivity can reduce their ability to maintain emotional stability during stressful situations.

Risk of Depersonalization and Derealization

Chronic use can lead to experiences of depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself) and derealization (feeling detached from reality).

These states can be distressing and impair an individual’s capacity to handle everyday stressors, further diminishing psychological resilience.

Stress Response System Impact

HPA Axis Dysregulation

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, responsible for stress response, can be adversely affected by frequent psychedelic use.

Chronic dysregulation of the HPA axis can impair the body’s ability to respond appropriately to stress, leading to increased vulnerability to psychological distress.

Neuroinflammation

Repeated LSD use may contribute to neuroinflammatory processes, potentially exacerbating mental health issues and reducing resilience.

Neuroinflammation has been linked to various psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, which can undermine an individual’s psychological stability.

Study Details: LSD Use & Psychological Status After Job Loss (2024 Study)

Sample

• Data were drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008–2019), including a weighted sample of 5,067,553 unemployed individuals actively seeking employment.
• Of these respondents, 4.2% reported having used LSD at least once, but not within the past year.
• The sample was diverse in terms of race (48% White), gender (53% male), and education (44% with some college education).

Methods

Data were collected through the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which included detailed information on drug use, psychological distress, and sociodemographic factors.

Variables

• Independent Variable: Prior LSD use (yes/no), excluding those who used LSD within the past year to ensure temporal precedence.
• Dependent Variable: Psychological distress measured using the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Severe psychological distress was defined as a total score of 13 or higher.
• Covariates: Age, sex, ethnoracial identity, education, marital status, income, risky behavior, overall health, and health insurance status.

Statistical Analysis

• Logistic regression was used to assess the association between LSD use and severe psychological distress.
• Negative binomial regression was employed to analyze non-severe psychological distress among respondents without severe distress.
• Analyses included adjustments for sampling weights to ensure representativeness and control for potential confounders.

Limitations

• Self-Reported Data: The study relied on self-reported data, which can be subject to recall bias and social desirability bias.
• Temporal Specificity: The study did not account for the exact timing of the last LSD use relative to job loss, limiting the ability to assess short-term vs. long-term effects of LSD use.
• Type of Stressful Event: The study focused specifically on job loss as the stressful event, which may not generalize to other types of stressors.
• Exclusion Criteria: Only those who had not used LSD in the past year were included, potentially excluding individuals who might have used it more recently in a different context.
• Generalizability: Findings may not be generalizable to populations outside the U.S. or to those not represented in the survey sample, such as institutionalized individuals or those with different sociodemographic characteristics.
• Other Psychedelics: The study focused exclusively on LSD and did not consider the potential resilience effects of other classic psychedelics like psilocybin, mescaline, or DMT.

What can we learn from this LSD study?

1. Awareness of Psychological Risks

Understanding the Risks: The study highlights that LSD use may be associated with increased psychological distress, especially during stressful times like job loss. People should be aware that using LSD might not provide the psychological resilience some believe it offers and could, in fact, exacerbate stress-related mental health issues.

Informed Decisions: Individuals considering LSD use for its purported psychological benefits should weigh these potential risks. It’s crucial to base decisions on comprehensive information and understand the possible long-term implications.

2. Importance of Mental Health Support

Seeking Help: Those who have used LSD and are experiencing psychological distress should seek professional mental health support. Counseling and therapy can provide effective strategies for managing stress and improving mental health.

Preventative Measures: Building resilience through healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, proper sleep, and mindfulness practices, can be beneficial. These measures can help individuals cope better with stress without relying on substances.

3. Cautious Use of Psychedelics

Therapeutic Context: If considering psychedelic use, it may be safer and more beneficial to do so in a controlled, therapeutic setting under the guidance of a trained professional. Clinical studies suggest that psychedelics can have positive effects when used as part of a structured therapy program.

Avoiding Self-Medication: Using psychedelics as a self-medication strategy for mental health issues is risky. Professional guidance ensures safe use and maximizes the potential therapeutic benefits.

Conclusion: LSD & Psychological Resilience

References

• Study: Does LSD confer lasting psychological resilience? an investigation of naturalistic users experiencing job loss (2024)
• Author: Benjamin A Korman