Research squareApr 17, 2026

How common and linked are ongoing challenges after psychedelic experiences worldwide

Psychedelic Science Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Jun 27, 2026

Abstract

Essence

Extended difficulties after psychedelic use were common in a large self-selected survey, with a smaller subgroup reporting clinically disruptive problems.

Evidence

This global multilingual online survey analyzed retrospective reports from 6,476 psychedelic users, finding 48.3% reported difficulties lasting at least 24 hours, 9.9% over a year, and 8% clinically relevant disruptive difficulties lasting at least a month.

Caveat

The evidence is based on retrospective self-report from people who chose to complete an online survey, so prevalence and associations may not generalize to all psychedelic users.

Simplified

As psychedelic use increases and integrates with mainstream medicine, understanding the prevalence and nature of post-psychedelic adverse outcomes is critical. We investigated extended difficulties after psychedelic use via the Global Psychedelic Survey (GPS) 2025, which is a multilingual online survey of people who have used psychedelics. Data on the prevalence, characteristics, and associations of retrospectively reported extended difficulties was gained from N = 6,476 participants. The most common difficulties reported were existential struggle (36.6%), depression (34%), and derealization (29.4%). Existential struggle was rated as the most severe difficulty, but also the one contributing most to healing. Overall, 48.3% of participants reported one or more difficulties lasting 24 hours or more, and 9.9% experienced difficulties for over a year. Clinically relevant disruptive difficulties (defined as lasting at least a month that caused disruption to daily life) were reported by 8% of the sample and were associated with younger age at the time of survey and at first psychedelic use, lower income, lack of family support, lower emotional stability/conscientiousness/agreeableness, higher pre-existing anxiety/depression, and using psychedelics to treat mental health conditions. The results underscore the necessity for evidence-based education on the potential risks and benefits of psychedelics, robust safety guidelines in clinical psychedelic interventions, and additional services for those experiencing post-psychedelic extended difficulties.

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How common and linked are ongoing challenges after psychedelic experiences worldwide

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