Attitudes of European psychiatrists on psychedelics: a cross-sectional survey study

Summary & key facts

The study surveyed 419 psychiatrists working in 33 European countries about their knowledge and attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP). Overall, psychiatrists showed general openness to psychedelics and PAP but also notable concern about risks. Younger age, being male, higher knowledge, identifying as spiritual, past personal use of psychedelics, and prior PAP or psychedelic research experience were linked to more positive attitudes, while professional role or workplace (besides prior PAP/research experience) did not predict attitudes.

Key facts:

• Sample size was 419 psychiatrists from 33 European countries.
• The survey response rate (of recorded surveys) was 61.6%; 419 completed surveys were included from 680 recorded.
• One-third (34.4%, n = 144) of participants reported past lifetime use of a psychedelic.
• The Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire (APQ) total median score was 66 (theoretical range 20–100; IQR = 56.5–75.0).
• APQ sub-scale medians (each range 5–25) were: Openness to Psychedelics 20, Legal Use of Psychedelics 18, Effects of Psychedelics 14, and Risk Assessment of Psychedelics 14.
• A basic knowledge test median score was 86 out of 100 (IQR = 82–91).
• Most correctly identified psychedelics were psilocybin (98.1%), LSD (97.6%), and mescaline (91.9%).
• Non-psychedelic drugs commonly misidentified as psychedelics included ketamine (63.0%), methamphetamine (25.5%), and GHB (26.0%).
• A regression model explained 31.3% of the variance in APQ scores. Predictors of more positive attitudes included previous lifetime psychedelic use, higher knowledge test scores, younger age, identifying as spiritual, prior PAP or psychedeli
• No other professional variables (for example, workplace setting or treatment approach) predicted APQ scores besides self-reported previous experience with PAP or psychedelic research.

Topics

Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Biochemistry Biology Cross-sectional study Environmental health Geography Medicine MEDLINE Pathology Psychology