Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy
Open Access
- 15 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Irish Journal of Medical Science
- Vol. 191 (3), 1385-1397
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02668-2
Abstract
Introduction: Despite the rapid advance of psychedelic science and possible translation of psychedelic therapy into the psychiatric clinic, very little is known about mental health service user attitudes. Objectives: To explore mental health service user attitudes to psychedelics and psilocybin therapy. Methods: A questionnaire capturing demographics, diagnoses, previous psychedelic and other drug use, and attitudes to psychedelics and psilocybin therapy was distributed to mental health service users. Results: Ninety-nine participants completed the survey (52% female, mean age 42 years). The majority (72%) supported further research, with 59% supporting psilocybin as a medical treatment. A total of 27% previously used recreational psilocybin, with a male preponderance (p = 0.01). Younger age groups, those with previous psychedelic experience, and those with non-religious beliefs were more likely to have favourable attitudes towards psilocybin. A total of 55% of the total sample would accept as a treatment if doctor recommended, whereas 20% would not. Fewer people with depression/anxiety had used recreational psychedelics (p = 0.03) but were more likely to support government funded studies (p = 0.02). A minority (5%) of people with conditions (psychosis and bipolar disorder) that could be exacerbated by psilocybin thought it would be useful for them. One fifth of the total sample viewed psychedelics as addictive and unsafe even under medical supervision. Concerns included fear of adverse effects, lack of knowledge, insufficient research, illegality, and relapse if medications were discontinued. Conclusions: The majority supported further research into psilocybin therapy. Younger people, those with previous recreational psychedelic experience, and those with non-religious beliefs were more likely to have favourable attitudes towards psilocybin therapy.Keywords
Funding Information
- University of Dublin, Trinity College
This publication has 90 references indexed in Scilit:
- Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population StudyPLOS ONE, 2013
- Effects of Schedule I drug laws on neuroscience research and treatment innovationNature Reviews Neuroscience, 2013
- Effects of psilocybin on hippocampal neurogenesis and extinction of trace fear conditioningExperimental Brain Research, 2013
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsJournal of Psychopharmacology, 2012
- Serotonergic regulation of neuronal excitability in the prefrontal cortexNeuropharmacology, 2011
- Effect of drug law enforcement on drug market violence: A systematic reviewInternational Journal of Drug Policy, 2011
- Htr2a gene and 5-HT2A receptor expression in the cerebral cortex studied using genetically modified miceFrontiers in Neuroscience, 2010
- Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuseThe Lancet, 2007
- Hallucinogens Recruit Specific Cortical 5-HT2A Receptor-Mediated Signaling Pathways to Affect BehaviorNeuron, 2007
- Evidence for 5-HT2 involvement in the mechanism of action of hallucinogenic agentsLife Sciences, 1984