Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy and Standard Interventions for Nicotine Cessation
Philip Kamilar-Britt, Alyssa B. Oliva, Mitch Earleywine
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2026 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2607724 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 534 |
| Population | Daily nicotine users |
| Topics | Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Psychological intervention Credibility Smoking cessation Clinical psychology Perception Abstinence Nicotine replacement therapy Nicotine patch Pharmacotherapy Psychotherapist Medline Cognitive behavioral therapy |
| Key findings | Familiarity with a cessation intervention predicts its perceived credibility, which then predicts interest in trying it. |
Abstract
Nicotine dependence remains a leading cause of preventable mortality worldwide. Pharmacotherapy and behavioral interventions offer modest efficacy with limited long-term success. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) is an emerging approach to nicotine cessation with a growing evidence base. As PAP research expands, understanding how nicotine users' attitudes shape treatment engagement becomes critical. We surveyed daily nicotine users (N = 534) to assess their perceptions and attitudes toward PAP versus standard cessation interventions. Point-biserial correlations and multiple linear regressions examined predictors of treatment interest and credibility. Findings suggest that familiarity with treatment options predicts perceptions of credibility for both interventions (standard: β = 0.16, p p p p p p p p < .001). Providers might leverage these findings to tailor educational materials to increase familiarity, potentially improving adherence and outcomes.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.