The Effects of Educational Materials on Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Psilocybin

A brief psychoeducational intervention did not clearly change knowledge or attitudes toward psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression among a sample of primarily white, college-educated U.S. adults, most of whom had prior psychedelic use. The sample was not representative of the general public, limiting the findings.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Depression is one of the most prevalent and burdensome mental health conditions worldwide, affecting millions and contributing to over 700,000 deaths by suicide annually. Nearly half of patients with major depressive disorder fail to respond adequately to standard antidepressant treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) has emerged as a promising alternative for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), yet public understanding of this therapy remains limited. The present study examined whether a brief psychoeducational intervention could affect knowledge and attitudes toward PAT among members of the general public in the United States. Participants were randomly assigned to read either a psilocybin or opioid educational passage before completing pre- and posttest measures. We did not find clear evidence of effects for PAT condition or time. However, the final sample was not representative of the general public, consisting of primarily white, college-educated adults, the majority of whom reported prior psychedelic use. This limitation should be considered when interpreting the findings. Keywords: Psychedelics, Psilocybin-assisted therapy, treatment-resistant depression, psychoeducation, public perception, mental health education