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Published: 20 May 2025

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Psychedelics are gaining popularity, often hailed in headlines as powerful tools for improving mental health. However, a recent Canadian study sheds light on a troubling association between bad psychedelic trips and an increased risk of early death. According to research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, individuals who experience severe reactions to hallucinogenic drugs are at a 2.6 times higher risk of dying within five years.

Dr Daniel Myran, the study’s lead author and a public health expert at the University of Ottawa, shared his concerns about the growing narrative around psychedelics. While psychedelics in controlled clinical trials show promise, the realities of uncontrolled use in everyday settings paint a very different and concerning picture.

“There’s a lot of media buzz about how psychedelic-assisted therapy is really promising in clinical trials. However, we wondered how people who aren’t in those trials may react in real-world settings,” Myran explained.

Psychedelic Emergencies Rare but Concerning

The study analysed medical data captured through Canada’s universal health system to assess how often severe psychedelic reactions led to emergency room visits. Only about 3% of users required hospitalisation. Still, the implications for this small group are alarming.

Those presenting in emergency care typically reported psychosis, disturbing hallucinations, panic attacks, or mental health crises. Tragically, suicide was identified as the most common cause of early death among these individuals, followed by unintentional drug poisoning, respiratory disease, and cancer.

Long-Term Impacts of Bad Psychedelic Reactions

Dr Charles Raison, a psychiatry professor and an expert in psychedelic studies at the University of Wisconsin, noted that adverse outcomes sometimes persist well beyond the initial episode.

“Maybe one in 20 people report having ongoing difficulties they ascribe to the psychedelic experience. A year later, they say, ‘I had an experience so distressing it messed up my ability to function, alienated me from my family, or gave me PTSD,’” Raison said.

The study further highlighted that even clinical trials, often considered the ‘gold standard’ for psychedelic research, have seen participants suffer adverse effects. For instance, in one study involving psilocybin, three out of 79 people in the high-dose group attempted suicide, further underscoring the risks.

The Risks of Psychedelics Outside Clinical Settings

One of the most significant differences between clinical trials and real-world use is supervision. Clinical trials rely on carefully controlled environments, employing measured doses, pure substances, and professional support from trained therapists. Participants with any history of mental health conditions that could trigger adverse reactions are screened out from the start.

Meanwhile, recreational use presents a host of variables. Hallucinogens purchased off the street can contain impurities or unknown substances, making their potency and effects unpredictable. The lack of professional guidance during a ‘bad trip’ can exacerbate already dire situations.

“You’re in a controlled environment with help standing by [in trials],” Dr Myran explained. “That is very different from the experience for people outside of these trials.”

The Rising Popularity of Psychedelics

Despite the risks, the global interest in psychedelics continues to surge. According to a 2024 RAND Corporation report, 31.5 million Americans have tried psilocybin or LSD in their lifetime, with usage highest among young adults aged 20 to 24. Similarly, in Canada, 6% of adults used psychedelics in 2023, suggesting a growing trend, particularly among younger generations.

Microdosing, where users take small amounts of psychedelics without experiencing significant hallucinations, has especially gained traction. However, experts urge caution, emphasising that the broader implications and safety concerns associated with widespread use remain unclear.

Potential Life-Threatening Consequences

Researchers have raised concerns about the growing narrative of psychedelics as a “miracle cure” for mental health issues. While positive media coverage often overlooks the risks, professionals like Dr Myran stress the importance of nuanced discussions.

“I worry that people read these positive headlines and think, ‘Oh, I should start taking these; it’ll be excellent for my mental health,’” Myran said. “We actually don’t have particularly good evidence for that.”

The study concludes that while the majority of users may not face emergencies, those who do can suffer severe consequences, impacting both their immediate and long-term wellbeing. (Source: WRD News)

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Published: 14 May 2025

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Cannabis vaping is making headlines worldwide, often promoted as a “safer” alternative to smoking. Meanwhile, Drug Trends data from Australia reveal that non-prescribed cannabis use remains high among people who regularly use drugs. But are wider permission models and positive propaganda about cannabis leading to greater engagement, especially among those most at risk? This article dives into Australian data from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) and Illicit Drugs Reporting System (IDRS), exploring what’s really happening with cannabis products, vaping, and why honest health education is more critical than ever.

Cannabis Vaping and Drug Trends in Australia (2014–2024): What the Data Tells Us

Cannabis vaping, once an afterthought, now claims a growing share of the global market. Many believe vaping to be less harmful, with marketers highlighting vaping’s lack of smoke and alleged respiratory benefits. However, recent Drug Trends research in Australia challenges some of these assumptions and uncovers troubling patterns.

The Rise of Electronic Vaping Products

Electronic vaping products started as oversized gadgets in the late 1990s. Initially intended to vaporise dried cannabis herb, they eventually shrank, morphing into today’s sleek e-cigarettes. While vaping nicotine products has become mainstream, cannabis vaping is following close behind, spurred in part by changes to medicinal and recreational cannabis laws overseas.

A North American review found a seven-fold increase in monthly cannabis vaping among adolescents, with notable shifts from dried herb to potent cannabis oils. However, the situation in Australia is different, shaped by stricter regulations and unique market conditions.

Drug Trends in Non-Prescribed Cannabis Use

Australia’s EDRS and IDRS surveys collect real-world data on non-prescribed cannabis and cannabinoid-related products. Between 2014 and 2024, most participants in both systems reported using cannabis recently, with rates as high as 90% in the EDRS and 74% in the IDRS.

Hydroponic and Bush Cannabis Still Dominate

• Hydroponic cannabis was the most popular, with usage rates ranging from 63%–83% among EDRS respondents, and a remarkable 88%–94% for IDRS participants.
• Bush cannabis also stayed common, with 51%–77% (EDRS) and 37%–54% (IDRS) reporting use.
• Other cannabis products, such as THC extracts and commercially-prepared edibles, have appeared in recent years, showing increased product diversity—but are far less popular than traditional forms.

Cannabis Vaping Emerges, But Smoking Prevails

Despite media attention around cannabis vaping, the majority of Australians captured in these studies still smoke cannabis. From 2014 to 2024:

• Smoking remained the dominant route of administration (ROA) in both groups.
• Cannabis vaping (inhaling/vaporising) trended upward, but stayed a minority choice. Vaporising among EDRS participants increased from 12% to 25%, and from 2% to 9% for IDRS.

Notably, few users chose vaping as their only method. Most combined it with smoking, suggesting the rise in vaping hasn’t replaced traditional habits.

Concerns About Cannabis Vaping and Permission Models

The Problem with Changing Perceptions

There is growing concern that permission models and positive messaging around cannabis use (whether through legislation or social media) may downplay its risks. Vaping, in particular, is surrounded by claims of being a “safer” alternative to smoking. While it’s true that vaping doesn’t involve combustion and may expose users to fewer toxic chemicals, it’s not risk-free.

Key Issues Include:

• Potency extremes: Some vape oils and extracts reach THC concentrations of 70–90%, far higher than the average 10%–20% in cannabis herb. Highly potent products carry greater risks for dependence, anxiety, and psychosis.
• Unknown health risks: The long-term effects of inhaling cannabis vapour, especially from unregulated or home-made devices, are not fully understood.
• Discreet use and normalisation: Portability and subtlety make vaping easier to hide, particularly from parents and teachers. For some users, this can enable more frequent use or uptake at a younger age.
• Unhealthy dual use: Most vapers continue smoking, increasing overall exposure to both methods. (for complete research WRD News)

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Published: 01 May 2025

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Understanding Youth Vaping and Breathing Issues

We all know smoking can damage your lungs. But could vaping harm your breathing too? To find out, researchers surveyed over 39,000 young people aged 16–19 across the US, Canada, and England in 2020–2021.

The Study in a Nutshell

• Most respondents had never vaped (64%) or smoked (70%).
• 28% reported breathing issues like coughing, breathlessness, chest pain, phlegm, or wheezing in the past week.
• Young people who only vaped were more likely to have breathing issues than those who had never smoked or vaped.
• Vaping was tied to similar odds of breathing issues as smoking.
• Those who both smoked and vaped had the highest risk of symptoms.

“The more frequently participants vaped, the higher their likelihood of breathing issues,” the researchers found.

How Vaping Frequency Affects Lungs

One important finding is that frequency makes a big difference:

• Young people who vaped more than 20 days a month were twice as likely as never-users to report symptoms.
• Every extra day of vaping in the past 30 days slightly increased the odds of breathing issues.

This dose-response trend shines a light on a simple truth—inhaling more vape means more potential risk. Source:  NIHR more WRD News)

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Published: 24 March 2025

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#preventdontpromote #druguse #DemandReduction

Social media challenges and drug misuse are becoming alarmingly intertwined. While platforms allow young people to connect and share experiences, they also amplify dangerous behaviours. When peer pressure combines with viral trends, impressionable individuals often face risks they don’t fully understand. Among the most troubling outcomes is the misuse of medicines, spurred by misleading and potentially fatal online challenges. Recognising this growing threat is the first step toward creating a safer future, free from the harmful influence of these trends.

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