Slouching towards engagement: interactions between people using psychedelics naturalistically and their healthcare providers
Frontiers in Psychiatry August 4, 2023 Kasey Cox, Cody Weston, Moss Herberholz et al.
A survey of 1,221 adults who use psychedelics found that most do so without clinical support. Only 22% disclosed their use to a primary care provider, while 58% told a psychiatric provider. Participants had less confidence in primary care providers' ability to integrate psychedelics into treatment. Common reasons for not disclosing included stigma, lack of provider knowledge, and legal concerns. 23% took psychedelics on the same day as potentially interacting psychiatric medications. Although 81% desired therapist support during experiences, only 15% had received it. The disconnection from clinical care may lead to safety issues such as inadequate screening, lack of support for adverse events, and drug interactions.