Psilocybin use is associated with lower odds of criminal arrest among US adults: replication and expansion

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811211058933

Commentary

The U.S. has the largest prison population in the world, resulting in significant direct and indirect costs to society. In addition, recidivism rates among the incarcerated are high, and most interventions to reduce crime are minimally effective.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the use of classic psychedelic substances (psilocybin, LSD, peyote, mescaline) and past year arrests for a variety of crimes (i.e., property, violence, alcohol and substance use, and other crimes).

Nationally representative data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (2015-2019) (N = 211,549) were used to test the aforementioned associations.

Results showed that lifetime psilocybin use was associated with lower odds of seven of the arrest variables over the past 11 years. (Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) range = 0.30-0.73) Peyote was associated with decreased odds of auto theft (aOR = 0.30) and decreased odds of DUI (aOR = 0.52), while mescaline was associated with decreased odds of drug possession/sales (aOR = 0.51). However, other substances in fact are either not associated with these results or have been shown to increase the odds of arrest, suggesting that the arrest rate for use of classic psychedelic substances has decreased.