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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)

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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.

Study Year Design Participants
Psychotherapists' openness to engage their patients in Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for mental health treatment. Psychologists 2023 Survey n = 119
Longitudinal experiences of Canadians receiving compassionate access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. Canadians with cancer granted Section 56 exemptions for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy 2024 Prospective longitudinal survey n = 8
Attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy among potential mental health service users and the general population in Australia. Australians, including individuals with and without self-identified mental illness 2024 Cross-sectional survey n = 502
Knowledge, attitudes, and concerns about psilocybin and MDMA as novel therapies among U.S. healthcare professionals. U.S. healthcare professionals 2024 Cross-sectional survey n = 879
Attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy among Australian mental healthcare providers Australian general practitioners, psychiatrists and psychologists 2025 Cross-sectional survey n = 109

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