Assessing Metro Vancouver Residents’ Knowledge and Opinions of Psilocybin
BCIT Environmental Public Health Journal – October 12, 2023
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A critical gap exists in our understanding of Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogen. While its potential for treating addiction, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders is gaining attention in Psychiatry and Clinical psychology, comprehensive data on Canadian adult awareness and use is subpar. Despite interest in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, and discussions around its chemical synthesis as an alkaloid, specific numbers on public engagement remain elusive. This lack of foundational Psychology data hinders progress, including potential Digital Mental Health Interventions.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring hallucinogen found in different species of fungi. Psilocybin has gained extensive social popularity and political attention in the United States. Research has shown that psilocybin and psychological therapy may have promising therapeutic applications for safer and more effective treatment of mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder, addiction, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psilocybin remains an illegal substance in Canada, and the current data on awareness, opinions, and use of psilocybin among Canadian adults are subpar. Further research on the health effects and clinical use of psilocybin is needed before any conclusions can be made. Addressing the current lack of reliable information about psilocybin among Canadians would be a sensible start.