Personal and social connection to psychedelics is associated with lower drug use stigma among psychiatrists in the United States

Abstract

This study sought to identify patterns of psychedelic use among American psychiatrists, to compare the demographic variables across categories of social proximity and personal use, and to determine how these categories influenced psychiatrists' attitudes towards drugs and people who use drugs.Respondents (N = 180; mean age = 48.4 [SD = 16.2]; male = 65.5%; trainees = 24.1%) were recruited via email lists/listservs and personal networks (snowball sampling).Approximately one-third (32.8%) of psychiatrists reported Personal Connection (i.e., history of personal use and social connection) to psychedelics. Psychiatrists with Personal Connection to psychedelics were more likely to be younger (p = 0.006, ηp2 = 0.057) and have fewer years of practice (p = 0.008, ηp2 = 0.058). Almost all (92%) of those with No Connection to psychedelics were out of training, compared with only 8% of those in training. Those with Personal and Social Connection to psychedelics were more likely to disagree: that using illegal drugs is morally wrong (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.28), that illegal drug users should go to prison (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.15), are weak minded (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.10), have no future (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.12), are not well educated (F(2.0, 170) = 7.38. p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.08), are dishonest (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.10), and that illegal drug users ‘make me angry’ (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.10).Personal and social connection to psychedelics is associated with decreased stigma towards drug use and people who use drugs. Future research should examine whether proximity to psychedelic use impacts other factors (e.g., empathy, therapeutic alliance) involved in psychiatry training and practice.