Attitudes of Mental Healthcare Professionals Towards the Use of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review

Mental healthcare professionals generally hold cautiously optimistic views about psychedelic-assisted therapy for substance use disorder, though a minority express hesitancy due to concerns about safety, efficacy, and practical integration challenges. A systematic review of six studies with 966 participants found that greater knowledge and familiarity with psychedelic-assisted therapy predict more positive attitudes. The limited knowledge among professionals highlights a need for targeted education and training to support the responsible integration of this treatment into clinical care.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is increasingly recognized as a potential novel treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). As evidence continues to grow, the successful implementation of this modality into clinical practice will depend significantly on the perceptions and attitudes of mental healthcare professionals. Accordingly, a systematic review was conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific literature on how professionals view the use of psychedelics for the treatment of SUD. A systematic search was performed across six databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, and SocIndex. A total of six studies were identified with a total of 966 participants. Findings revealed that the majority of mental healthcare professionals hold a cautiously optimistic attitude toward PAT. Moreover, a minority expressed hesitancy and critical perspectives, citing concerns about safety, efficacy, and the practical challenges of integrating PAT into existing clinical frameworks. Finally, the results indicate that knowledge and familiarity with PAT were key predictors of a more positive outlook. Given the current limited level of knowledge among professionals, these findings underscore a significant need for targeted education and training. Addressing these barriers is essential to facilitate the effective and responsible integration of PAT into standard clinical care for SUD.