Are first responders interested in psychedelics? Assessing previous use, interest, and willingness to participate in psychedelic-assisted therapy
Sonia M. Brodie, Chelsea Stunden, Jay A. Olson, Despina Z. Artenie, Venugopal Karapareddy, Ryan C.N. D'Arcy
Journal of Psychedelic Studies April 2, 2024 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2024.00318 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 102 |
| Population | First responders (firefighters, police officers, paramedics, military personnel) in Canada and the United States |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | First responders Emergency personnel Frontline workers Essential workers Emergency services Mental health Psychological well-being Emotional health Behavioral health Hallucinogen therapy Entheogenic therapy Mind-altering drug therapy Alternative treatments Complementary therapies Non-traditional treatments Innovative therapies Novel treatments Experimental treatments |
| Key findings | First responders showed high interest in LSD- and marijuana-assisted therapy, and reported high rates of distress and illicit drug use, with few finding professional treatment helpful. |
Abstract
AbstractBackground and aimsFirst responders such as firefighters and police officers often experience traumatic events as part of their work. As a result, they are more likely to have mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety compared to the general population. Psychedelic-assisted therapy has emerged as a promising avenue to alleviate these issues, but little is currently known about first responders' interest in, and barriers to, these treatments. Here, we aimed to document first responders' attitudes towards LSD-assisted therapy and previous use of psychoactive drugs.MethodsWe recruited 102 participants through mailing lists of first responders' unions. Respondents were typically male firefighters in western Canada; others were police officers, paramedics, and military personnel across Canada and the United States. They were asked about their attitudes towards LSD- and marijuana-assisted therapies, previous psychiatric diagnoses, psychosocial impairments, and substance use.ResultsRespondents showed higher rates of distress and illicit drug use compared to the general population. Of those who sought professional treatment, a minority reported that the treatment had helped them. The respondents were generally interested in taking part in therapy or research involving LSD or marijuana. The setting (e.g., at home vs. a clinic), therapist presence, and drug dose were commonly reported to influence this participation.ConclusionsFirst responders may particularly benefit from psychedelic therapy given their high interest in psychedelic drugs and high rates of treatment-relevant disorders. Better understanding the needs of this population will help inform future clinical trials and psychedelic therapies.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers: a randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial. The Lancet Psychiatry May 1, 2018
- The experimental effects of psilocybin on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis Psychiatry Research January 2, 2020
- Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy Harm Reduction Journal April 11, 2021
- Over 30 million psychedelic users in the United States F1000Research March 28, 2013
- Psychedelic Treatment for Trauma-Related Psychological and Cognitive Impairment Among US Special Operations Forces Veterans Chronic Stress August 12, 2020
and 2 more in the library