A report gives an insight into how we're using pharmaceutical and psychedelic drugs.  

The 2024 New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey of more than 10,000 people shows a quarter of recent psychedelics users took the drugs for their mental health and wellbeing. 

Author Dr Robin van der Sanden says there's growing awareness among the general public about their potential benefits. 

She says it's a global trend, fuelled by things like recent clinical trials of LSD for terminal cancer patients. 

van der Sanden told Andrew Dickens that there is a concern about health and safety, namely mixing the substances with alcohol, or the risk of counterfeit pharmaceuticals. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

A report gives an insight into how we're using pharmaceutical and psychedelic drugs. &nbsp;
The 2024 New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey of more than 10,000 people shows a quarter of recent psychedelics users took the drugs for their mental health and wellbeing.&nbsp;
Author Dr Robin van der Sanden says there's growing awareness among the general public about their potential benefits.&nbsp;
She says it's a global trend, fuelled by things like recent clinical trials of LSD for terminal cancer patients.&nbsp;
van der Sanden told Andrew Dickens that there is a concern about health and safety, namely mixing the substances with alcohol, or the risk of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Robin van der Sanden: 2024 New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey author on the findings of the report

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e03f2744-285c-4b70-9637-b248015c4075/transcript