Exploring the relationship between mental health, drug use, personality, and attitudes towards psilocybin-assisted therapy
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – August 21, 2023
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Young adults are largely open to psilocybin-assisted therapy, challenging its historical taboo. An online survey of 118 Australian young adults via computer-assisted web interviewing revealed positive attitudes towards this hallucinogen's therapeutic potential. Individuals more open to new experiences and those with prior recreational drug use—including cannabis or other psychedelics like Lysergic acid diethylamide—showed greater support for psilocybin's safety, legality, and research in clinical psychology and psychiatry. This suggests a shifting public perception, moving psilocybin from a stigmatized drug to a promising tool in psychology, informed by Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Background Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, is increasingly discussed in terms of its psychotherapeutic potential; however, little is known about community attitudes towards psilocybin assisted therapy (PAT). Aims To address the question: What are the public's attitudes towards psilocybin and psilocybin-assisted therapy? And what factors explain these attitudes? Methods This study investigated the attitudes of 118 young adults in the Australian Capital Territory through an online survey. Results Participants who were more open to experience and who had used recreational drugs were more likely to have positive attitudes towards all aspects of PAT. Additionally, psychedelic drug use and agreeableness was positively associated with attitudes towards psilocybin safety, legality, and research; and psilocybin use was positively associated with attitudes towards psilocybin knowledge and acceptability. Conclusions This convenience sample of young adults was generally positively disposed towards PAT. People who were more open to experience and who had used recreational or psychedelic drugs had more favourable attitudes towards PAT.