Does the Perception of Risk Associated with Psychedelics Use Differ in Physicians According to Their Belief of Effectiveness?

Physicians in France perceive the use of psychedelics as carrying notable risks. In a survey of 407 clinicians, average ratings on 1–5 Likert scales were 3.05 for general risk, 2.68 for self-harm risk, 2.47 for aggression risk, 2.71 for addictive risk, 2.76 for psychiatric disorder risk, and 2.11 for somatic disorder risk. Younger physicians were more likely to see therapeutic potential, while general practitioners were less likely than specialists to consider psychedelics a treatment. Clinicians who viewed psychedelics as having therapeutic potential associated them with lower risks.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the perception of psychedelics within the medical population. Participants were asked by questionnaire about the potential of abuse, the somatic and psychiatric complications, and the risks of self-harm and aggression associated with the use of psychedelics using Likert Scales. A total of 407 participants were included. In our sample, the following means were found: 3.05 for general risk (<.001), 2.68 for self-harm risk (<.001), 2.47 for aggression (<.001), 2.71 for addictive risk (< .001), 2.76 for psychiatric disorder risk (<.001), and 2.11 for somatic disorder(< .001). Physicians from the lower mean of age were significantly more supportive of therapeutic potential, while general practitioners were significantly less likely to consider psychedelics as a treatment than specialists (<.001). By the term therapeutic potential, we meant the therapeutic value attributable to psychedelics and the risks expressed the possibility of damage caused by the use of the drug. Clinicians who considered psychedelics as a potential treatment were less likely to associate these with risks than their counterparts (<.001). The results of this study show that the perception of the danger of psychedelic use was important in the medical community in France.