The consumption of drugs by people is nothing new. Nor is it exclusive to one country, culture, or kind of person. People across the world, from all walks of life, consume substances in the pursuit of pleasure, comfort or performance.
Over the last 10 years, the Global Drug Survey has been gathering data to get a broad understanding of what drugs we, as humans, consume, and why. Founded in 2011 by Dr Adam R Winstock, a Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist based in London, the annual survey analyses data from respondents across the globe to identify trends in drug use. From the results, the company shares information with individuals, communities, and health organisations to promote harm reduction. This year, GDS are hoping to reach their 1 millionth participant. The online survey is translated into 10 languages and is totally anonymous.
http://www.globaldrugsurvey.com/GDS2022
As well as collecting data on general drug consumption each year the GDS looks at emerging trends and cultural shifts in drug use. This year, the team has a specific focus on cannabis use, especially around the consumption of tobacco with cannabis. No drug has changed as much as cannabis in the 10 years since the launch of the survey, the public is more aware of the medical and therapeutic benefits of not just THC, but CBD and a plethora of other cannabinoids. Yet the use of harmful tobacco in joints still prevails, especially across Europe.
The psychedelic renaissance has also caught the attention of GDS. Specifically, GDS wants to understand the connection between increased psychedelic drug consumption and sex. The survey hopes to understand how psychedelic drugs affect various aspects of the sexual experience, such as pleasure, intensity, duration and orgasm. As well as how psychedelic drugs might affect people’s capacity to communicate with their partner or partners during sex, and whether they might serve as emotional intimacy building tools.
http://www.globaldrugsurvey.com/GDS2022
This years survey will also look at how drug policy and laws influence drug consumption, drink spiking and the impact of no and low alcoholic beverages on traditional alcoholic drink consumption. If you have a spare 20 minutes, please add your experience and opinion to tens of thousands of other people this year who will take part in GDS 2022.