Knowledge, perceptions, and use of psychedelics for mental health among autistic adults: An online survey
PLOS mental health. December 26, 2025 Sahba Afsharnia, Vivian Liang, Yona Lunsky et al. 1 citation
Autistic adults generally view psychedelics positively, with 77.8% willing to try them and 69.7% reporting past use, most commonly psilocybin mushrooms. Higher doses and highly meaningful experiences correlated with longer-lasting mental health improvements. Barriers included legal concerns, health risks, and logistical challenges. Participants with prior experience reported greater perceived knowledge and lower perceived risks. The findings highlight the need for education, policy reform, and inclusive research practices, though results should be interpreted cautiously as the sample may not represent the broader autistic population.