An article published on the website of the Ohio State University College of Social Work analyzes a survey of American military veterans regarding their use of psychedelic substances. It was found that most veterans who used psychedelics did so for healing or spiritual development, and more than 80% reported that they benefited from it, even though there were possible negative consequences.
Methodology and key results
Researchers from the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research at Ohio University, including Alan Davis, conducted a survey in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. It involved 426 respondents, including 217 veterans who reported using psychedelics and 209 who did not.
More than half of the respondents (51%) reported having used psychedelics. The most commonly used substances include psilocybin (mushroom psychedelic), LSD, ketamine, MDMA, ayahuasca, ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, and mescaline.
Motivation: healing, spiritual search and more
The most common reasons for use were:
- Healing or treatment (69-70%),
- Spiritual search (47-48%),
- Entertainment (38-39%).
Thus, the main impulses are therapy and spiritual aspirations, not hedonism.
Interestingly, veterans who used psychedelics were more likely to be older, to have served longer in the combat zone, and to have more significant problems with PTSD, depression, or anxiety than non-users.
Benefits - despite the risks
Among those who have used psychedelics, 88-85% (depending on the group) considered their experience to be beneficial-even if they had unpleasant consequences.
The most common side effects:
- Flashbacks (reactivation of psychedelic effects) - 33%,
- Craving or desire to reduce consumption - 26%,
- Attempts to stop or reduce use - 25%,
- There are significantly fewer reports of arrests or requests for medical care.
Statistical analysis revealed factors associated with a lower probability of negative consequences:
- Older age,
- The use of psilocybin,
- Preparedness for experience,
- Comfortable environment,
- Confidence in motivation,
- The ability to trust, let go of control, and be open.
Prospects for treatment through the VA system
Veterans who have used psychedelics said they would gladly contact the Veterans Administration (VA) if it offered psychedelic therapy.
Alan Davis notes that this is not just about alternative therapy, but a potential way to really help veterans who are often left without proper support.
The VA assesses the suicide risk of more than 17 veterans every day (as of 2021), and many veterans are stressed during the transition to civilian life.
Conditions, risks and further research
Despite the predominantly positive assessments, 59% reported at least one negative consequence. The key explanation is that use often occurs outside of clinical supervision: 70% use on their own, only 30% use in a medical or clinical setting, and only 24% use under the supervision of a professional.
Almost 39% used several psychedelics at the same time, about half combined them with marijuana, and 11% did so more than once a week-a significant deviation from scientific protocols.
These factors may explain the increased rate of adverse reactions, especially flashbacks, which are much less common in clinical trials.
Conclusions.
- Prevalence: about half of veterans reported using psychedelics, which is significantly higher than in the general population (~10%)
- The main motivations are therapeutic and spiritual, not entertainment.
- The benefits are high, but there are also risks - especially without proper support and training.
- The key factors of effectiveness are preparedness, a safe environment, trust and openness.
- Undesirable consequences include flashbacks, cravings, legal or medical issues.
- Next steps: continuing research, introducing psychedelic therapy in the VA, and developing protocols for its safe implementation.
