Perceptions of the medicinal value of hallucinogenic drugs among college students
Jared Wildberger, Cassandra N. John, Robert M. Hallock
Journal of Psychedelic Studies October 17, 2017 DOI: 10.1556/2054.01.2017.008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 124 |
| Population | College students at two U.S. campuses |
| Topics | Addiction Anxiety |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Perception |
| Citations | 22 |
| Key findings | Participants were reluctant to agree that hallucinogens can be therapeutic for seven afflictions, but a majority believed further research into their medicinal benefits should be conducted. |
Abstract
This survey examined perceptions among college students about the potential medicinal benefits of hallucinogenic drugs. Current research and potential benefits include an ability to help anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction with hallucinogen-assisted psychotherapy. We devised and administered a survey on 124 students at two college campuses, one small private college in the mid-Atlantic and one medium-sized public university in the Midwest of the United States. Responses were similar across campuses, and in general, participants were reluctant to agree that hallucinogens can be therapeutic to the seven afflictions we questioned them about. However, the survey also revealed that a majority of participants believed there should be further research done exploring the medicinal benefits of such drugs. These findings shed light on perceptions of hallucinogens as their use is being applied to a host of afflictions.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 21
- Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy Irish Journal of Medical Science June 15, 2021
- Perceptions and attitudes towards psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy among health professionals, patients, and the public: A systematic review Journal of Psychedelic Studies February 5, 2024
- Validation of a new instrument for assessing attitudes on psychedelics in the general population Scientific Reports October 29, 2022
- Medical student attitudes and perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapies Frontiers in Psychiatry June 27, 2023
- Attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy among potential mental health service users and the general population in Australia. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry October 1, 2024
and 16 more in the library
Cites 21
- A Randomized Trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate Antagonist in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression Archives of General Psychiatry August 1, 2006
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Journal of Psychopharmacology September 11, 2014
- Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Psilocybin in 9 Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry November 15, 2006
- Safety and Efficacy of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anxiety Associated With Life-threatening Diseases The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease March 4, 2014
and 16 more in the library