Psychedelics in the Czech Republic. Overview of the situation, experiences and opinions of users and caregivers
Abstract
This publication is a comprehensive introduction to the phenomenon and so far the first complex overview of the situation in the field of psychedelics use in the Czech Republic, summarizing the results of the research project Application of research methods in creating a design of a system of services for users of psychedelics (hereinafter referred to as National Psychedelic Research) implemented in 2019-2021 at the National Institute of Mental Health.
The aim of the project was to map the use of classical, as well as less typical psychedelics (including MDMA, ketamine, psychoactive cannabis, etc.) in the Czech Republic, to evaluate the need for specialized services based on research findings, and to draft recommendations for the policy and system of services in the field of psychedelics use. The publication provides a theoretical introduction to the issue and an overview of the situation in the field of psychedelics use, with an emphasis on the current situation in the Czech Republic, including findings from surveys focusing the experiences and attitudes of users and care providers. The main areas examined include: basic definition of the issue of psychedelics use, prevalence of use in the Czech Republic, characteristics of users and patterns of use of psychedelics, health impacts and risks associated with the use of psychedelics, services and policy on the use of psychedelics, including their use in mental health care.
In the framework of the project, an extensive non-systematic review of published and grey literature was carried out, complemented by secondary analysis of two population-wide surveys of the National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addiction (NMS), a nationwide online cross-sectional questionnaire study among users of psychedelic substances (n=1 415) and a study among workers in helping professions (n=65). The results of the project were discussed with experts and decision-makers within the framework of round tables and comment procedures. Finally, based on the results of the project, recommendations for services and policy in the field of psychedelic substances in the Czech Republic were proposed.
The results of the project show that when it comes to the use of substances that have a psychedelic effect, the level of experience of the Czech population as a whole is considerable. The use of psychedelics, even outside of formal treatment, is associated with a number of mainly beneficial effects in the areas of life satisfaction, mental health and quality of life, as well as increases in psychological and physical well-being - but also with risks, including psychological difficulties that persist for varying periods of time especially when used inappropriately.
There is demand from both users and professionals in helping services to expand the range of services in the Czech Republic in order to offer qualified, affordable and adequate professional help to people using psychedelics. The evidence base for the efficacy and safety of psychedelics in the treatment of a wide range of mental illnesses (e.g., depressive and anxiety disorders, trauma, addiction) is expanding. Until now, the use of psychedelics in the framework of formal and informal mental health care is complicated by their strict legislative control, which is associated with the occurrence of risks that are not adequately captured by the current range of services.
These results shall serve to inform drug policy, public and mental health care and drug services providers, as well as to stimulate the development of special services targeting the real needs of people who use classical psychedelic substances.