The Use of Psychedelics for Self-Treatment of Psychiatric Conditions or Emotional Distress - A Factor Analysis of data from the Global Drug Survey 2020.

Abstract

There are many therapeutic approaches for the treatment of psychopathology, however, there is a need for differential treatments to be considered especially for individuals that have not had success with conventional psychological and pharmacological interventions. It is also beneficial to investigate approaches that provide prophylactic benefits and motivate positive lifestyle changes. Psychedelic assisted therapy provides a potentially effective alternative treatment. Due to the complex psychological, physiological and behavioural changes observed through the use of psychedelics, such as alterations in emotion, ego function, thought, perception and lifestyle changes in healthy individuals, theory development and investigation surrounding these impacted areas are still underway. Psychedelic assisted therapy has been revisited within modern psychiatry and psychology over recent decades, however further understanding is required around the effects that individuals experience when using psychedelics, especially within individuals who are experiencing psychological distress. The current study aims to identify a set of factors underlying the effects (e.g., changes in symptoms of psychiatric condition, mood, productivity, energy) reported following use of psychedelic substances for self-treatment over the past 12 months among respondents of the Global Drug Survey 2020 (GDS 2020). Drawing on data from the GDS 2020, this study utilises factor analysis as a data reduction (or item reduction) approach to ascertain the factors underlying the psychiatric, psychological and physiological effects experienced when individuals use psychedelics for self-treatment of a psychiatric condition or emotional distress. The results of this study will contribute to the growing body of knowledge that is guiding future directions for research, development of psychometric measures and clinical application of psychedelic therapies and psychological therapies for psychopathology and prophylactic application.

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