Lsd Use and Perceptions Among Older Adults

Background and Purpose: Research into the use of psychedelics has begun to re-emerge after a decades-long moratorium and has shown some treatment promise for anxiety, depression, and alcohol problems. However, little is still understood regarding the use patterns and changing perceptions of psychedelics such as LSD, especially among older adult populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to improve understanding of the correlates of LSD use among adults 50 and over.

Methods: Data for this study come from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, with a sample of n=10,560 adults aged 50 and over. Lifetime LSD use was a dichotomous yes/no variable. Additionally, this study examined whether first use occurred before or after age 18 (yes/no), perceived difficulty in obtaining LSD (fairly/very easy=1; fairly difficult/very difficult/probably impossible= 0), and perceived risk of LSD used “once or twice” (great risk=1; no risk/slight risk/moderate risk= 0). Bivariate relationships were examined using chi-square tests. Logistic regression models were used to examine predictors of the aforementioned LSD variables, including age group, sex, income, past-month binge drinking, past-year marijuana use, self-rated health, and marital status.

Results: Of older adults in the study, 11.7% had used LSD in their lifetime, which was associated with younger age, male sex, marital status, binge drinking, and lower income. Among lifetime LSD users, around 37% first used LSD prior to age 18, which was significantly associated with female sex and marital status. Around 11% of older adults reported it would be fairly/very easy to obtain LSD, which was significantly associated with younger age, lower income, and marital status. Around 70% of older adults perceived occasional use of LSD as a great risk, which was significantly associated with older age, female sex, lower income, no past-month binge drinking, poorer self-rated health, and being widowed. In the full logistic regression models, individuals who were male (AOR= 1.87, CI= 1.23 – 1.56), had binge drank in the past month (OAR= 1.33, CI= 1.23 – 1.56), and used marijuana in the past year (AOR= 7.78, CI= 1.23 – 1.56) were significantly more likely to have used LSD in their lifetime. Females were significantly more likely to perceive occasional LSD use as a great risk (AOR= 1.43, CI= 1.23 – 1.56), as well as individuals with fair/poor health (AOR= 1.38, CI= 1.23 – 1.56) and those who had not used marijuana in the past year (AOR= 3.39, CI= 1.23 – 1.56). Additionally, adults aged 50 – 64 were significantly more likely to report easier obtainment of LSD than those aged 65 and over (AOR= 1.29, CI= 1.23 – 1.56) and significantly more likely to have used LSD prior to 18 years of age (AOR= 2.23, 1.23 – 1.56)

Conclusions and Implications: This study highlights sociodemographic and substance use differences in LSD use and perception that are unique to older adults. Older adults are reporting greater LSD use than prior generations, and this study helps to illuminate characteristics of use that can be beneficial for social workers with older adult clients.