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Patients' Experiences Discussing Psychedelics for Therapeutic Purposes with Physicians and Other Health Care Providers.

Michelle St Pierre, Lucas Standing, Yarissa Herman, Mark Haden, Zach Walsh

Psychedelic Medicine September 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1089/psymed.2023.0060 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed
Sample size 791
Population Adults who use psychedelics
Topics Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords Barriers to access Physician communication Plant medicine Therapeutic intent Patient-doctor communication Mental health treatment Medical stigma Alternative medicine
Citations 3
Key findings Only 30% of therapeutic psychedelic users discussed their use with a physician, with stigma, knowledge gaps, and legal status as key barriers.

Abstract

A core component in the provision and receipt of appropriate medical care is trust and communication between patients and physicians. The use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes (PTPs) has experienced growing attention in the past decade and may be an increasing topic of patient-physician interactions. The stigmatization of psychedelic use may complicate this process. However, patient perspectives on discussing psychedelics with their physician have not yet been systematically examined. We report findings from a cross-sectional study of 791 adults who use psychedelics. The survey queried patient experiences communicating about PTP with health care providers (HCPs) as well as intentions, modes, and patterns of psychedelic use. A majority (80%) of the 791 adult psychedelic users (M age = 37, SD = 1.28; 46% female) endorsed using PTPs. Nearly a third of therapeutic users (30%; n = 190) reported discussing psychedelic use with their physician. Barriers to discussing PTP with physicians included stigmatization, perceived physician knowledge gaps about psychedelics, and legal status. Patients with a history of mood disorders (χ2 = 11.01, p < 0.01), or posttraumatic stress disorder (χ2 = 10.32, p < 0.01) were more likely to discuss PTP with their provider, as were respondents who used ketamine (χ2 = 5.23, p < 0.05). This study is among the first to systemically examine patient experiences and perceptions about discussing PTP with their HCP. These data suggest the majority of patients are hesitant to discuss psychedelics with their physicians and illuminate factors associated with greater likelihood of patient-physician discussions.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, 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
Psychedelic Treatment for Trauma-Related Psychological and Cognitive Impairment Among US Special Operations Forces Veterans U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans who completed a psychedelic clinical program in... 2020 Survey n = 51
Population Survey Data Informing the Therapeutic Potential of Classic and Novel Phenethylamine, Tryptamine, and Lysergamide Psychedelics Respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008–2017, weighted to... 2020 Cross-sectional survey n = 260,964,827
Examination of the Phenomenology of the Ibogaine Treatment Experience: Role of Altered States of Consciousness and Psychedelic Experiences. Individuals who used ibogaine in the past 2017 Retrospective survey n = 27
American Psychiatrists' Opinions About Classic Hallucinogens and Their Potential Therapeutic Applications: A 7-Year Follow-Up Survey. American Psychiatric Association members (resident-fellows and attending psychiatrists) 2024 Survey n = 131

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Psychedelic-assisted therapy Ketamine