UK Study Suggests Psychedelic Use May Aid Emotional Recovery in Times of Collective Stress
A landmark study involving more than 240,000 people in the UK has found that individuals who used both psychedelics and cannabis during the COVID-19 pandemic showed significant improvements in symptoms of anxiety and depression over time. Unlike users of other illicit substances, their mental health eventually aligned with that of people who had never taken drugs.
The study, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, was led by Maria Bălăeţ, now head of the Altered States, Evolution and Technology Laboratory (ASET LAB) at King’s College London. The findings offer a rare insight into how naturalistic, non-clinical use of psychedelics may impact mental health during global crises.
Pandemic as a Natural Experiment
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered widespread emotional distress, providing researchers with an unprecedented opportunity to observe how different groups coped. While most prior research focused on substances like alcohol or tobacco, this study took a broader view, looking closely at psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, and DMT.
The team used data from the Great British Intelligence Test, a BBC-supported citizen science project launched in 2019 to explore connections between lifestyle, cognition, and health. More than 240,000 participants provided initial assessments, with around 68,000 completing follow-ups over a two-year period.
Not All Drug Use Is the Same
Researchers categorized users into six groups: cannabis-only, cocaine-only, cannabis and cocaine, cannabis and psychedelics, polydrug users, and “other” users. They were compared to people with no history of drug use.
Initially, all drug-using groups had poorer mental health scores than drug-naive participants. However, only the group combining psychedelics and cannabis showed marked improvement by the final follow-up in January 2022. Depression and anxiety symptoms in this group decreased significantly—enough to place their average mental health on par with non-users.
Cannabis-only users, by contrast, experienced consistently poor mental health across all measurement points.
What Makes Psychedelics Different?
Psychedelics, known for altering perception and enhancing introspection, are typically used in controlled or intentional settings. Clinical studies in recent years have shown their potential to treat major depression, PTSD, and addiction. However, most evidence comes from tightly managed trials.
This new research, in contrast, draws on real-world use. Though observational in nature, the findings suggest psychedelics may have a unique influence on psychological resilience—especially when used in tandem with cannabis during periods of societal upheaval.
“The improvements in the psychedelics and cannabis group were not only significant but surprising, especially because the use happened outside of clinical oversight,” said Bălăeţ. “It may reflect how context and intent shape the outcomes of psychedelic experiences.”
Context Is Key
The researchers emphasized that the pandemic’s global stress may have played a critical role. While drug-naive individuals maintained relatively stable mental health, the psychedelics and cannabis group improved markedly—perhaps due to psychological shifts facilitated by altered states of consciousness.
Yet, the study stopped short of asserting a direct causal link. Other factors—such as regression to the mean or coincidental improvement—can’t be ruled out. The study also lacked details on frequency, dose, or co-treatments like therapy.
Still, the scale of the data and its longitudinal nature make this one of the most robust studies of its kind. The findings raise important questions about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in real-life settings.
A New Direction for Psychedelic Research
Bălăeţ and her team plan to expand their research, focusing on how psychedelics interact with creativity and cognition, and under what conditions they may foster emotional recovery.
“This is just the beginning,” she noted. “We’re now exploring how naturalistic drug use may influence not just mental health, but cognitive flexibility and creative problem-solving in daily life.”
Further Reading on Cannabis and Psychedelic Science
If you’re interested in the broader science of cannabis and its physiological or psychological effects, explore these recent articles from The Cannex:
- Japan Study Links Marijuana Use to Later Illicit Drug Use
- New THC Breath Test Can Detect Edibles for the First Time
- CBD-Rich Marijuana May Help Relieve IBD Symptoms, Says Study
These studies highlight ongoing advancements in understanding how cannabis compounds affect human health, from drug detection methods to therapeutic uses.
