Effects of Psychedelics Use on Lifespan?

[elphologist1]

Whenever I hear people say that psychedelics are bad for you, I always bring up Albert Hoffman. Yeah, he only lived to be 102. Imagine how long he would have lived if he had never tried LSD! He was not a heavy user though; I think he only used LSD and related drugs a few times. Timothy Leary was a very heavy user of drugs, and not just psychedelics. Plus he obviously had a stressful life (losing his wife at a young age, being in prison, etc.). Yet he lived to his mid-70s.

I would argue that occasional use of psychedelics, if anything, probably extends a persons lifespan slightly. This would be due to insights into life's mechanisms and a decrease in fear of death and the unknown.

Yet some examples do stand out of psychedelic experimenters who died at a young age. Terence McKenna for example. Do you think his brain cancer was caused by all the chemicals he ingested, or was it just a coincidence? I also remember Linda McCartney (Paul McCartney's wife) died of cancer at a young age as well, despite being a person who seemed to take good care of herself (I know she was a vegetarian for example).

What are your thoughts on how psychedelic use affects lifespan?

elphologist

 

[۩]

I wish we knew more. I think working with entheogens respectfully and ceremonially is one of the best things you can do as a human being.
There are countless reasons as to why.

 

[Morphing Interstices]

Interesting question. I've met a few hippie heavy-duty trippers in their 70s who were very healthy and vibrant, but then you just never know if they were always going to be like that.

 

[ohayoco]

Have a read of this page of this thread Is DMT REALLY safe? - Help and Advice for Healing - Welcome to the DMT-Nexus ('Is DMT really safe?', page 5)

I was similarly interested in statistical data of how long psych users live, which substances they used etc. I wish some scientist or statistitian somewhere would have a go at it, I don't have time unfortunately, and it would be very interesting. I'm told that ayawaska and peyote use has been scientifically studied and the conclusions were that the use was not harmful and actually psychologically beneficial, there are papers on here somewhere.