A new study finds a link between Psychedelics and a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.
“In our previous research, we have found associations between lifetime classic psychedelic use and lower odds of being overweight or obese as well as lower odds of having hypertension in the past year, both of which are risk factors of cardiometabolic disease. We therefore wanted to look specifically at the link between lifetime classic psychedelic use and cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease,” says Otto Simonsson, author of the study.
The data for the study was pulled from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, where 375,000 Americans participated.
2.3% of those who have had a psychedelic experience reported heart disease, compared to 4.5% who had not had a psychedelic experience.
There isn’t much to cull from this data, considering the small numbers and the many variables, including lifestyle differences, that go into someone who decides to have a psychedelic experience. However, there is something to be said about the “neural plasticity” of one who has had a psychedelic experience, making it easier to break unhealthy habits.
This new research is coming at an important time for psychedelic awareness.
An article at Yahoo elaborates on how the deep stress caused by Covid-19 for first responders has opened up an avenue for psychedelic treatment.
“If these studies and programs are successful, they have the potential to alleviate the symptoms of stress, burnout and depression that health care workers are feeling. They may even stop medical professionals from leaving the workforce at an alarming rate and avert the looming disaster of a worldwide health care worker shortage. The halo effect could be enormous and offer the possibility of treating others in high-stress fields.”
For instance, they cite a program on Vancouver Island that is ketamine-assisted, and treats health care providers and first responders who are suffering from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction. It’s called Roots to Thrive.
