Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy
A survey of 99 mental health service users found that most supported further research into psilocybin (72%) and its medical use (59%), with 55% saying they would accept it if recommended by a doctor; favourable attitudes were more common in younger people, those with prior psychedelic experience, and non‑religious individuals. Nonetheless, significant reservations remained—around one fifth viewed psychedelics as addictive or unsafe and concerns included adverse effects, illegality and relapse risk, while a small minority with psychosis/bipolar still considered it useful despite potential harm.
Authors
- John Kelly
- Veronica O'keane
Published
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.
Research Summary of 'Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy'
Introduction
Corrigan and colleagues place this study in the context of a rapidly evolving translational psychedelic science. Early clinical findings suggest that combining psychedelic compounds with psychological support may improve outcomes in conditions such as major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression and some addictions, and exploratory work has examined psilocybin in obsessive–compulsive disorder, eating disorders and headache syndromes. At the same time, psychedelic compounds produce highly variable subjective experiences, have neurobiological actions centred on 5-HT2A receptor activation and are contraindicated in psychosis-spectrum and manic disorders; these factors, together with rising recreational use, create both therapeutic opportunity and safety concerns that require careful, high-quality research and clear communication with service users and the public. This study aimed to characterise attitudes to psychedelics and psilocybin therapy among mental health service users. The investigators deployed a questionnaire to capture demographics, diagnoses, prior recreational drug use and specific attitudinal items about psilocybin therapy, with the goal of identifying which subgroups hold more favourable or cautious views and what concerns might influence acceptability of psilocybin in clinical practice. The authors framed this as a step towards informing public health messaging and stakeholder dialogue as psilocybin approaches clinical translation.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
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- APA Citation
Corrigan, K., Haran, M., McCandliss, C., McManus, R., Cleary, S., Trant, R., Kelly, Y., Ledden, K., Rush, G., O’Keane, V., & Kelly, J. R. (2022). Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy. Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -), 191(3), 1385-1397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02668-2
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