86% of drug researchers admit to taking drugs: NYU study

By Lucía Tedesco via El Planteo

A new study by New York University shows that 86% of drug researchers have used substances at some point in their lives, with 47% admitting to having used them in the past three months.

The study was published in Reports of drug and alcohol addiction and led by scientists Danielle Ompad and her team surveyed 669 researchers in 43 countries. It raises the question: Can personal experiences with drugs improve the quality of drug research or does the stigma associated with it undermine academic credibility?

While some researchers believe that their personal experiences with drugs provide valuable insights into their research questions, others fear that these experiences could discredit their work in the scientific community.

The stigma surrounding drug researchers

As the study points out, “experiences of drug use can positively influence research—but stigma is a barrier.” This stigma affects how researchers perceive themselves and how they are viewed by their colleagues and the public. The study found that only 17.8% of respondents described themselves as “open” (or open) about their drug use, showing that the majority prefer not to disclose this information in professional settings.

Disclosure is a particularly sensitive issue. While 59% of researchers who have used drugs shared this information with colleagues within their institutions, only 11% disclosed it as part of their research or in grant applications. Although some believe their personal drug use enriches their work, many are concerned that it could negatively affect perceptions of their scientific objectivity.

“Researchers believe that drug use may strengthen research questions,” the study says, recognizing the value of “experiential knowledge,” meaning that professionals' personal experiences can contribute to their work.

However, ethical and professional concerns remain and there is a recognized need to continue debate and research on this topic.

Cover image generated with AI, edited in Canva by El Planteo.

This article was written by an outside, unpaid contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or content.