Patients’ Attitudes Toward Hallucinogenic and Non-Hallucinogenic Psilocybin for Mental Health Treatment

A survey of psychiatric patients at a community mental health center found that 62.4% were open to hallucinogenic psilocybin therapy and 60.4% to non-hallucinogenic forms. Patients with major depressive disorder preferred hallucinogenic therapy, while those with borderline personality disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder favored non-hallucinogenic options, possibly due to concerns about the intensity of hallucinogenic experiences. Individuals with substance use disorder showed greater acceptance of both forms than those without. The findings suggest societal stigma is not a major barrier to psilocybin therapy and that non-hallucinogenic forms may offer a more accessible option for some groups.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study examined patient perspectives on psilocybin therapy, specifically their acceptance and views on the therapeutic benefits of both hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic forms. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among psychiatric patients aged 18-65 at a community mental health center, assessing their attitudes, knowledge, and acceptance of psilocybin therapy. In total, 62.4% of the participants expressed openness to hallucinogenic psilocybin (p = .009), while 60.4% were open to non-hallucinogenic forms (p = .023). Patients with major depressive disorder preferred hallucinogenic therapy more (p = .010), while those with borderline personality disorder (BPD) (p = .030) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (p = .035) favored non-hallucinogenic options, possibly due to concerns about the intensity of hallucinogenic experiences. Individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) demonstrated a greater acceptance of both hallucinogenic (p = .007) and non-hallucinogenic forms (p = .046) than individuals without SUD. These findings suggest that societal stigma is not a significant barrier to psilocybin therapy and that non-hallucinogenic forms may provide a more accessible option for certain patient groups. Understanding patient perspectives on psilocybin therapy, including vulnerability to adverse hallucinogenic experiences, can inform personalized and effective treatments for resistant conditions.