Document Type

Poster

Date

4-9-2026

Keywords

Meta analysis, PTSD, Depression, Veterans

Campus Community

Center for Health Behavior Research and Innovation; College of Arts and Sciences; Veteran and Military Behavioral Health Collaborative; D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families; Department of Public Health; Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; Syracuse University

Language

English

Funder(s)

Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation, D'Aniello Institute of Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, Veteran & Military Health Collaborative

Disciplines

Military and Veterans Studies

Description/Abstract

Introduction: Mental health concerns, including depression and psychological distress, remain highly prevalent among U.S. military veterans and are associated with elevated functional impairment, suicide risk, and barriers to care. Public discourse increasingly suggests the potential therapeutic effects of psychedelic substances in treating mental illness. However, population-level data examining associations between psychedelic use and mental health burden among U.S. military veterans remain limited. The present study examined associations between past-year hallucinogen use and past-year major depressive episode (MDE) and serious psychological distress (SPD) among veterans. Method: Data were drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2021-2024). Analyses were subset to (N = 9,172) U.S. military veterans and employed survey weights to produce nationally representative estimates. Past-year hallucinogen use was assessed using an NSDUH-provided binary (yes/no) variable. MDE was defined using DSM-5 criteria for MDE with items regarding depressed mood or loss of interest lasting at least two weeks, accompanied by 5 additional depression symptoms (e.g., changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, feelings of worthlessness, etc.) and related psychosocial impairment. SPD was assessed using the Kessler K6 scale (score ≥ 13). Design-based F tests were used to evaluate associations between SPD, MDE, and hallucinogen use. Results: Veterans who reported past-year hallucinogen use demonstrated substantially higher prevalence of MDE (31.99%) compared to those who did not report hallucinogen use (6.34%; p < .001). Elevated prevalence was similarly observed for SPD (35.67% vs. 8.82%; p < .001). Conclusion: Hallucinogen use was disproportionately concentrated among veterans experiencing heightened psychological distress and past-year MDE. Although cross-sectional data preclude causal inference, findings suggest that psychedelic use may occur within the context of heightened mental health burden. Thus, additional research may clarify whether use reflects self-directed coping, recreational patterns among veterans experiencing symptoms of depression or distress, or emerging interest in alternative therapeutic approaches.

Download

Share

COinS