Here at Dutch-Smart, we see more clearly than anyone else that Dutch people are increasingly using psychedelic substances, including magic mushrooms, truffles, peyote, and LSA. Especially during this COVID-19 crisis, orders are flying out the door, and it seems as though we’re all rushing to take advantage of the many benefits that psychedelics can offer us. But it’s not just in the Netherlands that these substances are incredibly popular. Research in the United States, for example, shows that there are as many as 56% more LSD users than in previous years.
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Large-scale drug study
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati Center for Prevention Science analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The total sample included more than 168,000 adults. For this study, the researchers primarily looked at changes in LSD use over the course of the year, as well as demographic data such as education level, race, or sexuality. They also examined which other drugs LSD users consume and how risky these drugs are considered to be.
It will come as no surprise that there were quite a few surprising results. Overall, the prevalence of LSD users in the sample rose from 0.55 percent in 2015 to 0.86 percent in 2018. This means that in 2018, 0.86 percent of all people had used LSD. That is still a relatively low number, but it represents a percentage increase of no less than 56 percent. However, despite the significant overall increase over the four-year period, changes in use varied greatly among different groups of people, according to the researchers.
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Highly educated people use LSD more often
For example, it turned out that most LSD users are not poor “junkies,” as is sometimes thought. In fact, the largest group of people using the psychedelic were men earning between $20,000 and $50,000 a year. In terms of age, the largest increase in LSD use was among adults aged 35–49; use in this group rose by more than 233 percent. Use also increased by 45 percent among adults over 50, and rose significantly among people aged 26–34. Notably, use actually declined among young adults aged 18 to 25—though this group still accounted for over 57% of LSD use.
In addition to age, educational attainment was a major factor in LSD use. For example, people with a college degree increased their LSD use by more than 70 percent, while those without a college education reduced their use. People who had graduated from high school but did not attend college reduced their use by 24 percent, while those who did not attend high school reduced their use by 44 percent. Another notable finding was that the group of people who identified as bisexual was the largest group within the sexuality spectrum to show increased interest in the drug.
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GHB
But that’s not all. It turns out that people who use LSD are also more likely to use other psychedelics or other types of drugs. Interestingly, GHB use among LSD users has increased by more than 277 percent. Other substances, such as ketamine, DMT, and non-medical opioids, were actually used less frequently by LSD users. People who viewed the use of marijuana and cocaine as less risky were also more likely to use LSD.
What exactly was the study intended for? Primarily to serve as a springboard for future research to examine how and why people use LSD. Do they do this purely for fun, is it driven by peer pressure, or are there medical and therapeutic reasons? The researchers acknowledge, however, that the study is somewhat limited by its reliance on self-reporting through the national drug survey. For example, people may underestimate or overestimate the effects of psychedelics.
Do you want to use LSD yourself? Then always make sure to have your LSD tested. You can do this at national testing centers, or using our EZ-Test LSD Drug Test.
