Magic Mushrooms – an exploratory look at how mental health professionals feel and think about Psilocybin

Meyer, Thomas D.; Meir, Priel; Lex, Claudia; Soares, Jair C.

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114727

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…This may be a result of the general increase in recreational psilocybin and the negative press regarding it and other street drugs targeted at younger populations. However, the findings of this study are consistent with those found among mental health service users [34,35] and providers, who also reported positive attitudes regarding the decriminalization of psilocybin [17]. In previous studies, only 38.2% of college students agreed or strongly agreed that hallucinogenic drugs could be safely used recreationally.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…It could be suggested that medical educators incorporate psilocybin education as it relates to clinical decision-making [17,33]. This may pave the way for more research into future psychedelic treatments for mental health and palliative care, given that practice informs research and vice versa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous literature has shown that overall neutral attitudes towards psilocybin exist among mental health professionals who also report low self-rated knowledge of psilocybin. The average age of participants in this study was 47 years [ 17 ]. A survey among clinical psychologists with an average age of 50 years also indicated a lack of psychedelic understanding [ 18 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These findings suggest that the younger generation and early-stage medical trainees align with the growing interest in psychedelic therapy. It could be suggested that medical educators incorporate psilocybin education as it relates to clinical decision-making [ 17 , 33 ]. This may pave the way for more research into future psychedelic treatments for mental health and palliative care, given that practice informs research and vice versa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are only a few studies to our knowledge that pertain to healthcare workers' perceptions, knowledge, and concerns about psilocybin-assisted therapies. Some studies indicate that mental health practitioners have neutral attitudes and low self-rated knowledge about psilocybin [ 17 ]. Young psychiatry residents reported less concern about hallucinogens’ adverse effects as well as greater optimism for their therapeutic potential [ 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predictors of Medical Students’ Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Use in Medical Practice

Wang¹,

Sun²,

Nava³

et al. 2023

Cureus

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BackgroundPsilocybin use, along with other psychedelics, has seen an increased interest among professionals in the medical community due to its potential therapeutic benefits for psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders (SUD), and palliative care. While it is certain that more research is necessary as psychedelicassisted therapy becomes more prevalent, it will most likely be future physicians at the forefront of this neoteric care. Currently, physicians receive minimal training because of psilocybin's contextual information and its current enlistment as a Schedule 1 drug per the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Schedule 1 drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. As a rule, formal education on psilocybin is not included in medical school curricula, and very little is known about how medical students perceive it. The aim of this study was thus to assess current medical students' perceptions of their knowledge, concern for possible negative effects, and perceptions about medical psilocybin to provide a deeper understanding of which factors may predict their overall perceptions of its future therapeutic use. MethodsMedical students' knowledge, concern for potential adverse effects, and perceptions of medical psilocybin were investigated using a cross-sectional survey study design. Data were collected in January 2023 from a convenience sample of United States medical students in years one to four of their program using a 41-item anonymous quantitative online survey. Multivariate linear regression modeling was performed to determine if perceived knowledge and beliefs about legalization would predict medical students' attitudes about psilocybin use for therapeutic purposes. ResultsTwo hundred and thirteen medical students completed the survey. Seventy-three percent (n=155) were osteopathic medical students (OMS), and 27% (n=58) were allopathic medical students (MDS). Regression modeling produced a statistically significant equation: (F(3, 13) = 78.858, p < .001), with an R 2 = 0.573 (adjusted R 2 = 0.567), indicating that greater (perceived) knowledge about medical psilocybin, less concern for its possible adverse effects, and greater belief in the legalization of psilocybin for recreational use significantly contributed to positive perceptions of psilocybin use in medical practice. ConclusionsIn this sample, medical students with greater self-assessment of their knowledge about medical psilocybin, less concern for its potential adverse effects, and more positive views about recreational psilocybin legalization predicted positive attitudes about its medical use. Interestingly, although some participants had positive perceptions about the legalization of psilocybin for medical use, endorsing its legalization for recreation was related to greater positive attitudes toward medical psilocybin in general, a finding that appears to be somewhat counterintuitive. More research is warranted to further explore medical trainees' ...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Predictors of Medical Students’ Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Use in Medical Practice

Wang¹,

Sun²,

Nava³

et al. 2023

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“But the reality is it's happening”: A qualitative study of eating disorder providers about psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy

Downey

Boyd

Chaphekar

et al. 2023

Intl J Eating Disorders

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ObjectiveThis study invited providers who care for patients with eating disorders to inform engagement, communication, and collaboration with psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy interventions.MethodMedical and mental health providers who treat patients with eating disorders were recruited via professional referral networks and participant driven sampling from across California to participate in one of five focus groups. Discussion topics included prior knowledge of psychedelic therapy, interest/concerns related to psilocybin therapy, and opportunities for collaboration. Study team members completed iterative rounds of coding with a grounded theory approach.ResultsA total of 32 participants reported a range of familiarity with psychedelics. Some raised concerns about the risks of administering psilocybin to malnourished patients and to those with psychological comorbidities. Despite these concerns, participants were hopeful to see psilocybin therapy as a treatment for patients with eating disorders. In anticipating challenges, providers had concerns about equity in access to care among publicly insured and non‐English speaking patients. They requested opportunities for continuing education about psilocybin therapy.DiscussionOur findings demonstrate provider interest in psilocybin therapy for the treatment of patients with eating disorders. As psilocybin therapy interventions are developed, providers caring for patients with eating disorders value collaboration to improve longitudinal patient outcomes.Public SignificanceThis study invited healthcare providers of patients with eating disorders to discuss their thoughts around the use of psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy in this population. Findings will help inform emerging psilocybin therapy clinical trials with the goal of successful translation and adoption in real world clinical settings.

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Psychotherapists' openness to engage their patients in Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for mental health treatment

Meir

Taylor

Soares

et al. 2023

Journal of Affective Disorders

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Magic Mushrooms – an exploratory look at how mental health professionals feel and think about Psilocybin

Cited by 6 publications

References 16 publications

Predictors of Medical Students’ Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Use in Medical Practice

Predictors of Medical Students’ Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Use in Medical Practice

“But the reality is it's happening”: A qualitative study of eating disorder providers about psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy

Psychotherapists' openness to engage their patients in Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for mental health treatment

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