Attitudes of European psychiatrists on psychedelics: a cross-sectional survey study.

European psychiatrists generally hold positive attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy but remain concerned about potential risks. In a survey of 419 psychiatrists from 33 countries, one-third reported past personal use of psychedelics. The highest-rated attitude sub-scale was Openness to Psychedelics, while Risk Assessment was rated lowest. Younger, male, spiritually identified psychiatrists who could better recognize psychedelic substances and had personal experience with them showed more favorable attitudes. Professional experience with psychedelic therapy or research also predicted positive attitudes, but other professional variables did not. The findings suggest that impartiality on the topic is difficult.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Research and public interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) are growing. This study investigated attitudes toward psychedelics among a diverse and multinational sample of psychiatrists currently working in Europe. We conducted an anonymous, web-based survey consisting of demographic information, a test of basic knowledge on psychedelics, and the previously validated 20-item Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire (APQ), which was validated for the first time in English within this sample. We included N = 419 participants from 33 countries in the study. One-third of participants (34%) reported past use of psychedelics. The APQ sub-scale with the highest score was Openness to Psychedelics, while Risk Assessment of Psychedelics was rated lowest. Regression modelling, explaining 31.3% of variance in APQ scores, showed that younger male psychiatrists who identified as spiritual, were better at recognizing and classifying substances as psychedelics and had previously used psychedelics had more positive attitudes on psychedelics. No professional variables besides self-reported previous experience with PAP or psychedelic research predicted APQ scores. European psychiatrists, therefore, show a general openness to psychedelics and PAP, but are concerned by the potential risks associated with them. Our findings overall suggest that psychedelics are a subject where it is difficult to remain impartial. Protocol registration: The study was pre-registered at the Open Science Framework (available online at https://osf.io/upkv3 ).