Magic Mushrooms – an exploratory look at how mental health professionals feel and think about Psilocybin
Thomas D Meyer, Priel Meir, Claudia Lex, Jair C Soares
Psychiatry Research July 16, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114727 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 155 |
| Population | Mental health professionals |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Mental health Exploratory research Magic telescope Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 23 |
| Key findings | Mental health professionals' attitudes toward psilocybin were neutral, with low self-rated knowledge, and responses were not significantly affected by the term used. |
Abstract
Psilocybin recently received breakthrough status by the FDA for its use in treatment of depression. We therefore investigated mental health professionals' (MHPs) opinions on Psilocybin (n = 155). Overall, attitudes were neutral but self-rated knowledge of Psilocybin was low. The term used in the survey, 'Psilocybin' or 'Magic Mushrooms', did not significantly affect their responses. Some variables (i.e., gender, attitudes towards medical cannabis, and personal history of psychedelic usage) were associated with ratings of Psilocybin. These results provide a baseline of MHPs' thoughts on Psilocybin and what should be considered in the future if it is FDA-approved.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey study of challenging experiences after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms: Acute and enduring positive and negative consequences Individuals who had consumed psilocybin mushrooms and experienced a psychologically... | 2016 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 1,993 |
| 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 |
| Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use Individuals with prior alcohol use disorder who reported cessation or reduction in... | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 343 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 23
- Perceptions and attitudes towards psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy among health professionals, patients, and the public: A systematic review Journal of Psychedelic Studies February 5, 2024
- Psychotherapists' openness to engage their patients in Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for mental health treatment. Journal of Affective Disorders February 15, 2023
- Knowledge, attitudes, and concerns about psilocybin and MDMA as novel therapies among U.S. healthcare professionals. Scientific Reports November 14, 2024
- Predictors of Medical Students' Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Use in Medical Practice. Cureus April 1, 2023
- Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin for Treating Psychological Distress among Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences: Evidence on Acceptability and Potential Efficacy of Psilocybin Use Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 10, 2023
and 18 more in the library
Cites 9
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Psychopharmacology November 8, 2017
- Quality of Acute Psychedelic Experience Predicts Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Frontiers in Pharmacology January 17, 2018
- The experimental effects of psilocybin on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis Psychiatry Research January 2, 2020
- Developing Guidelines and Competencies for the Training of Psychedelic Therapists Journal of Humanistic Psychology June 29, 2017
and 4 more in the library