Attitudes of European psychiatrists on psychedelics: a cross-sectional survey study.
Marija Franka Žuljević, Darko Hren, Dawid Storman, Mariano Kaliterna, Darko Duplančić
Scientific Reports August 12, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69688-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 419 |
| Population | Psychiatrists currently working in Europe |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Mental health treatment Psychiatric research Clinical trials Drug policy |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | European psychiatrists show general openness to psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy but also concern about associated risks. |
Abstract
Research and public interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) are growing. This study investigated attitudes toward psychedelics among a diverse and multinational sample of psychiatrists currently working in Europe. We conducted an anonymous, web-based survey consisting of demographic information, a test of basic knowledge on psychedelics, and the previously validated 20-item Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire (APQ), which was validated for the first time in English within this sample. We included N = 419 participants from 33 countries in the study. One-third of participants (34%) reported past use of psychedelics. The APQ sub-scale with the highest score was Openness to Psychedelics, while Risk Assessment of Psychedelics was rated lowest. Regression modelling, explaining 31.3% of variance in APQ scores, showed that younger male psychiatrists who identified as spiritual, were better at recognizing and classifying substances as psychedelics and had previously used psychedelics had more positive attitudes on psychedelics. No professional variables besides self-reported previous experience with PAP or psychedelic research predicted APQ scores. European psychiatrists, therefore, show a general openness to psychedelics and PAP, but are concerned by the potential risks associated with them. Our findings overall suggest that psychedelics are a subject where it is difficult to remain impartial. Protocol registration: The study was pre-registered at the Open Science Framework (available online at https://osf.io/upkv3 ).
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy among Australian mental healthcare providers Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry July 15, 2025
- Amid magic and menace: psychiatrists’ attitudes to psilocybin therapy Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine November 7, 2024
- Consistency of protocol and safety data reporting in clinical trial registrations and corresponding publications of interventions involving MDMA and psilocybin. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology January 23, 2026
- Psychiatric Residents' Perspectives on Psychedelics and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs July 2, 2025
- [Acceptance of psilocybin-assisted therapy in German-speaking countries]. Der Nervenarzt February 12, 2025
and 5 more in the library
Cites 18
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology April 26, 2017
- Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 2, 2022
- Psychedelics alter metaphysical beliefs. Scientific Reports November 23, 2021
- Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy Harm Reduction Journal April 11, 2021
- A Survey of American Psychiatrists' Attitudes Toward Classic Hallucinogens The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease May 17, 2018
and 13 more in the library