Patients’ Attitudes Toward Hallucinogenic and Non-Hallucinogenic Psilocybin for Mental Health Treatment
Araam Abboud, Kyle Hua, Hannah Redding, Danielle Gainer, Clay M. Schiebrel, Ramzi W. Nahhas, Sarah Durkin
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs May 29, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2511752 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Psychiatric patients aged 18-65 at a community mental health center |
| Topics | Ayahuasca LSD Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Mental health Hallucinogen Psychoactive substance |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Most psychiatric patients were open to both hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic psilocybin therapy, with preferences varying by diagnosis. |
Abstract
This study examined patient perspectives on psilocybin therapy, specifically their acceptance and views on the therapeutic benefits of both hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic forms. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among psychiatric patients aged 18-65 at a community mental health center, assessing their attitudes, knowledge, and acceptance of psilocybin therapy. In total, 62.4% of the participants expressed openness to hallucinogenic psilocybin (p = .009), while 60.4% were open to non-hallucinogenic forms (p = .023). Patients with major depressive disorder preferred hallucinogenic therapy more (p = .010), while those with borderline personality disorder (BPD) (p = .030) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (p = .035) favored non-hallucinogenic options, possibly due to concerns about the intensity of hallucinogenic experiences. Individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) demonstrated a greater acceptance of both hallucinogenic (p = .007) and non-hallucinogenic forms (p = .046) than individuals without SUD. These findings suggest that societal stigma is not a significant barrier to psilocybin therapy and that non-hallucinogenic forms may provide a more accessible option for certain patient groups. Understanding patient perspectives on psilocybin therapy, including vulnerability to adverse hallucinogenic experiences, can inform personalized and effective treatments for resistant conditions.