Exploring Knowledge, Attitudes and Openness toward Psychedelics among Medical and Psychology Students in a Conservative Cultural Setting.
Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS June 1, 2026 Mai Albaik, Ayesha Hanin Shaikh, Haneen Kadi et al.
Psychology students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, reported higher knowledge, more favorable attitudes, and greater openness to psychedelic science than medical students. Among 360 students surveyed, 58.7% of psychology students had curricular exposure to psychedelics versus 38.7% of medical students, and 47.5% versus 23.2% were aware of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Psychology students also showed stronger support for legalization (50.9% vs. 33.1%) and recognition of spiritual benefits (51.3% vs. 29.8%). Openness to learning and clinical application was higher among psychology students (62.0% vs. 48.1%), though both groups expressed concerns about risks. Integrating evidence-based psychedelic education into curricula may improve awareness and responsible clinical adoption.