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Knowledge, attitudes, and concerns about psilocybin and MDMA as novel therapies among U.S. healthcare professionals.

Erin Wang, David S. Mathai, Natalie Gukasyan, Sandeep M. Nayak, Albert Garcia‐romeu

Scientific Reports November 14, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-78736-1 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed
Sample size 879
Population U.S. healthcare professionals
Topics MDMA Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords Hallucinogenic medicine Healthcare attitudes Mental health treatment Clinical research
Citations 18
Key findings Healthcare professionals showed strong belief in therapeutic promise but low objective knowledge of psychedelic-assisted therapy, with prior psychedelic use, self-rated knowledge, younger age, and professional role predicting openness to clinical use, while physicians reported lower openness.

Abstract

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with substances like psilocybin and MDMA has shown promise for conditions including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Psilocybin and MDMA may become approved medicines in the coming decade. This study assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding PAT among 879 U.S. healthcare professionals via anonymous online survey. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify predictors of openness to clinical use. Most participants (71.2%) were female and White (85.8%), with a mean (SD) age of 45.5 (12.7) years. Registered nurses (25.4%) and physicians (17.7%) comprised the largest professional groups. Respondents endorsed strong belief in therapeutic promise, and moderate openness to clinical use and support for legal access to both substances, with higher overall ratings for psilocybin compared to MDMA. Objective knowledge items revealed low knowledge of therapeutic uses, risks, and pharmacology. Primary concerns were lack of trained providers, financial cost, and potential contraindications. Prior psychedelic use, self-rated knowledge, younger age, and professional role predicted openness to clinical use of psilocybin and MDMA, with physicians reporting lower openness. As psychedelics continue to garner popular and scientific interest, results indicate a pressing need for additional formal training to provide balanced, evidence-based information from trusted sources.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on MDMA and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Assessing the quality of publicly available videos on MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for PTSD Videos on YouTube about MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD 2022 Cross-sectional study n = 100
Attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy among potential mental health service users and the general population in Australia. Australians, including individuals with and without self-identified mental illness 2024 Cross-sectional survey n = 502
Expert opinions on implementation of MDMA-assisted therapy in Europe: critical appraisal towards training, clinical practice, and regulation. Researchers and clinicians involved in MDMA-AT clinical trials and contributors to the... 2024 Survey n = 68
Psychedelic-assisted therapy: a survey on the clinical methods of Swiss physicians. Physicians providing psychedelic-assisted therapy under Swiss Federal Office of Public... 2026 Survey n = 41
Oncology Providers' Perspectives on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. Healthcare professionals involved in oncology across academic and nonacademic... 2026 Cross-sectional survey n = 385

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MDMA Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy Addiction Depression PTSD

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