Personality and Drug Use (PDU)
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The study aims to assess whether the use of drugs relates to personality ratings. Specifically, we plan to investigate if people with different histories of substance use differentiate on personality assessments (current and past).
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
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Detailed Description
The study aims to assess the association between the use of various substances (including psychedelic and non-psychedelic drugs) and personality profiles. Specifically, the association between past drug usage and personality profiles will be investigated. As psychedelics were found to influence changes in personality over time, the present study aims to measure both the current personality profile (via the Big Five Inventory-44 (BFI)) and perceived retrospective changes in personality (via a self-constructed Retrospective Personality Scale (RPS)). To our knowledge, no study has explored the diversity of substance use histories in relation to individual current and retrospective personality traits and aggregate personality profiles.
This project aims to survey a large number of participants from all around the world, using a mobile app-based survey. The remote character of the study will increase its accessibility and diversity, which are common shortcomings in the psychedelic line of research. Additionally, a remote, anonymous study setup with no face-to-face interactions might help overcome any potential concerns participants may have regarding the sharing of sensitive information (e.g., reports on illicit substance use).
To increase scientific transparency and for educational purposes, the study team plans to share results summaries (comparisons of personalized results with the aggregated ones among participants sharing similar characteristics e.g., age, substance use history), which might be an additional motivating factor for study completion. Lastly, given that drug use in the natural environment (excluding laboratory/experimental setting) is characterized by large substance diversity and poly-drug use, we aim for a large sample size (with a minimum of 36 subjects per substance(s) category) to perform subgroup analyses. Therefore, this large-scale, low-budget, naturalistic, retrospective, observational study aims to shed light on the aforementioned gap in the literature and to lay a foundation of evidence for further (observational and experimental) research within the field.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
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| Psychedelics-only Group A group of participants who reported using in their past psychedelic substances only (both classical and non-classical psychedelics are included). Specifically, in the current study this group included reports on the following substances: Psilocybin (magic mushrooms, truffles) LSD (acid) Mescaline (peyote, san pedro) Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Ayahuasca 5-MeO-DMT 3-MMC Ibogaine Salvia Phenethylamines (2C family) |
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| Stimulants-only Group A group of participants who reported using in their past drugs identified as stimulating compounds only (both recreational and prescribed usages are included). Stimulating compounds are considered, in the context of the current study, substances that increase the overall activity of the central nervous system. Specifically, in the current study this group included reports on the following substances: Cocaine Crack Amphetamines Methamphetamines Prescription stimulants (e.g., Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta) |
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| Depressants-only Group A group of participants who reported using in their past drugs identified as depressing compounds only (both recreational and prescribed usages are included). Depressing compounds are considered, in the context of the current study, substances that decrease the overall activity of the central nervous system. Specifically, in the current study this group included reports on the following substances: Benzodiazepines Opiates (recreational use of heroin, opium, hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, codeine, fentanyl) Prescription opioids |
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| Cannabinoids Group A group of participants who reported using in their past cannabinoids compounds only (both recreational and prescribed usages are included). Specifically, in the current study this group included reports on the following substances: THC (cannabis, marijuana) CBD Medical Cannabis (both THC and CBD) |
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| Psychedelic and Non-psychedelic Substances Group A group of participants who reported using in their past drugs identified as psychedelics and stimulants and/or depressants (both recreational and prescribed usages are included). In this group participants will be included who reported using at least one non-psychedelic drug additionally to a psychedelic one. Specifically, the following options were provided: Psychedelic compounds: Psilocybin (magic mushrooms, truffles) LSD (acid) Mescaline (peyote, san pedro) Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Ayahuasca 5-MeO-DMT 3-MMC Ibogaine Salvia Phenethylamines (2C family) Non-psychedelic compounds: THC (cannabis, marijuana) Medical Cannabis (both THC and CBD) CBD MDMA (ecstasy) Ketamine Cocaine Crack Amphetamines Methamphetamines Prescription stimulants (e.g., Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta) Benzodiazepines Opiates (e.g., heroin, opium, hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, codeine, fentanyl) Prescription opioids |
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| Substance-naive Group A group of participants who reported no past experience with any of the substances listed in the current study nor reported using other substances (excluding alcohol and nicotine). Participants will be assigned to this group if and only if they choose the "None of the above" option from the Substance Use Survey (item 1). |
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Current Personality Profile [Single baseline measurement]
Raw scores on each of dimensions of the Big Five Inventory
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Changes in Personality Profile [Single baseline measurement]
Raw scores on the positive and negative dimensions of the self-constructed (for the study needs) Retrospective Personality Scale
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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18 years of age or older
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full legal and mental capacity
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access to a smartphone (iOS and Android) with internet
Exclusion Criteria:
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not fluent in English
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not able to read
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- Quantified Citizen Technologies Inc.
- Maastricht University
- Psychedelic Data Society
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Kim PC Kuypers, PhD, Maastricht University
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Additional Information:
Publications
- Bouso JC, González D, Fondevila S, Cutchet M, Fernández X, Ribeiro Barbosa PC, Alcázar-Córcoles MÁ, Araújo WS, Barbanoj MJ, Fábregas JM, Riba J. Personality, psychopathology, life attitudes and neuropsychological performance among ritual users of Ayahuasca: a longitudinal study. PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e42421. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042421. Epub 2012 Aug 8.
- Bouso JC, Palhano-Fontes F, Rodríguez-Fornells A, Ribeiro S, Sanches R, Crippa JA, Hallak JE, de Araujo DB, Riba J. Long-term use of psychedelic drugs is associated with differences in brain structure and personality in humans. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2015 Apr;25(4):483-92. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.01.008. Epub 2015 Jan 16.
- Harm reduction: An approach to reducing risky health behaviours in adolescents. Paediatr Child Health. 2008 Jan;13(1):53-60. English, French.
- Kiraga MK, Mason NL, Uthaug MV, van Oorsouw KIM, Toennes SW, Ramaekers JG, Kuypers KPC. Persisting Effects of Ayahuasca on Empathy, Creative Thinking, Decentering, Personality, and Well-Being. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Oct 1;12:721537. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.721537. eCollection 2021.
- Martins SS, Sampson L, Cerdá M, Galea S. Worldwide Prevalence and Trends in Unintentional Drug Overdose: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Am J Public Health. 2015 Nov;105(11):e29-49. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302843. Review.
- Williams MT, Davis AK, Xin Y, Sepeda ND, Grigas PC, Sinnott S, Haeny AM. People of color in North America report improvements in racial trauma and mental health symptoms following psychedelic experiences. Drugs (Abingdon Engl). 2021;28(3):215-226. doi: 10.1080/09687637.2020.1854688. Epub 2020 Dec 10.
- QCPUBLICPDU1