Medical Students' Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Psilocybin: Does Terminology and Personal Experience with Psychedelics Matter?
Psychedelic Medicine August 18, 2023 Claudia Lex, Antonio F. Pagán, Jair C. Soares et al. 9 citations
Medical students hold generally positive attitudes toward psychedelic-assisted therapy, but their attitudes are significantly more favorable when the term "psilocybin" is used instead of "magic mushrooms." Personal experience with psychedelics is linked to more positive attitudes, beliefs, and higher self-rated knowledge. Attitudes and beliefs are stronger predictors of willingness to recommend psychedelic-assisted therapy, if FDA approved, than personal experience alone. The findings suggest that using the term "psilocybin" may be preferable in research and educational contexts.