Personal and social connection to psychedelics is associated with lower drug use stigma among psychiatrists in the United States

Among a sample of 180 American psychiatrists (mean age 48.4, 65.5% male, 24.1% trainees), about one-third (32.8%) reported personal use of and social connection to psychedelics. Psychiatrists with such personal connection tended to be younger and have fewer years of practice. Those with personal and social connection were more likely to disagree that using illegal drugs is morally wrong, that users should go to prison, are weak-minded, have no future, are poorly educated, are dishonest, or make them angry. Personal and social proximity to psychedelics is associated with less stigma toward drug use and people who use drugs.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study sought to identify patterns of psychedelic use among American psychiatrists, to compare the demographic variables across categories of social proximity and personal use, and to determine how these categories influenced psychiatrists' attitudes towards drugs and people who use drugs.Respondents (N = 180; mean age = 48.4 [SD = 16.2]; male = 65.5%; trainees = 24.1%) were recruited via email lists/listservs and personal networks (snowball sampling).Approximately one-third (32.8%) of psychiatrists reported Personal Connection (i.e., history of personal use and social connection) to psychedelics. Psychiatrists with Personal Connection to psychedelics were more likely to be younger (p = 0.006, ηp2 = 0.057) and have fewer years of practice (p = 0.008, ηp2 = 0.058). Almost all (92%) of those with No Connection to psychedelics were out of training, compared with only 8% of those in training. Those with Personal and Social Connection to psychedelics were more likely to disagree: that using illegal drugs is morally wrong (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.28), that illegal drug users should go to prison (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.15), are weak minded (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.10), have no future (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.12), are not well educated (F(2.0, 170) = 7.38. p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.08), are dishonest (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.10), and that illegal drug users ‘make me angry’ (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.10).Personal and social connection to psychedelics is associated with decreased stigma towards drug use and people who use drugs. Future research should examine whether proximity to psychedelic use impacts other factors (e.g., empathy, therapeutic alliance) involved in psychiatry training and practice.