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.
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 1
Cites 27
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine November 3, 2022
- A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogue with therapeutic potential. Nature 2021
and 22 more in the library