Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Amid magic and menace: psychiatrists' attitudes to psilocybin therapy.

Irish journal of psychological medicine
November 7, 2024
Andrew Gribben et al. (11 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess psychiatrists' knowledge and attitudes toward psilocybin therapy in Ireland to understand its potential impact on clinical practice and public health.

Results Summary

Most psychiatrists (81.5%) agreed psilocybin therapy shows promise for psychiatric disorders, with 86.8% supporting research funding and willingness to refer patients if licensed. However, 21.9% thought it potentially addictive, and only 9.9% felt prepared to participate in therapy.

Population

Psychiatrists in Ireland (151 participants, 73.3% under 40, 76.0% trainees, 49.0% female).

Effective Dosage

Not mentioned

Duration

Not mentioned

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
psilocybin therapy
increase
psychiatric disorders
psychiatrists in Ireland
81.5% agreed
shows promise in the treatment of
#1
psilocybin therapy
increase
research funding
psychiatrists in Ireland
86.8% supported
supported funding research
#2
psilocybin therapy
increase
patient referral willingness
psychiatrists in Ireland
86.8% would be willing
would be willing to refer a patient
#3
psilocybin therapy
increase
personal treatment consideration
psychiatrists in Ireland
78.1% would consider
would consider the treatment for themselves
#4
psilocybin therapy
decrease
safety perception
psychiatrists in Ireland
6.6% agreed
was unsafe even under medical supervision
#5
psilocybin therapy
increase
addiction potential perception
psychiatrists in Ireland
21.9% thought
was potentially addictive
#6
psilocybin therapy
increase
concerns about therapy
psychiatrists in Ireland
15.9% reported
reported at least one concern
#7
psilocybin therapy
increase
knowledge level
psychiatrists in Ireland
40.0% felt
felt knowledgeable
#8
psilocybin therapy
increase
preparedness level
psychiatrists in Ireland
9.9% felt
felt adequately prepared to participate
#9
psilocybin therapy
decrease
optimism for role in bipolar depression and emotionally unstable personality disorder
consultant psychiatrists
-
trended towards less optimism for a potential role
#10
psilocybin therapy
increase
attitudes
psychiatrists in Ireland
-
held positive attitudes towards
#11
psilocybin therapy
decrease
knowledge level
psychiatrists in Ireland
-
lack of knowledge evident
#12
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Understanding variations in knowledge and attitudes of psychiatrists to psilocybin therapy is important for the collective discourse about the potential impact on clinical practice and public health in Ireland. METHODS: A 28-item questionnaire was designed based on previous studies and distributed to psychiatrists in Ireland via online mailing lists and at in-person academic events. RESULTS: 151 psychiatrists completed the questionnaire (73.3% were under 40 years of age, 76.0% were trainees, and 49.0% were female). In the total sample, 81.5% agreed that psilocybin therapy shows promise in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and 86.8% supported funding research, 86.8% would be willing to refer a patient if it was licensed and indicated, and 78.1% would consider the treatment for themselves, if indicated. Conversely, 6.6% agreed that psilocybin therapy was unsafe even under medical supervision, and 21.9% thought it was potentially addictive. 15.9% of the total sample reported at least one concern including, lack of robust evidence, long-term effectiveness, superiority to current interventions, potential harmful effects, cost and accessibility, and impartiality. Less than half of respondents felt knowledgeable (40.0%) and 9.9% felt adequately prepared to participate in psilocybin therapy. Consultant psychiatrists trended towards less optimism for a potential role in bipolar depression and emotionally unstable personality disorder compared to trainee psychiatrists. CONCLUSION: Overall psychiatrists in Ireland held positive attitudes towards psilocybin therapy. However, there was a lack of knowledge evident. Addressing the knowledge gap and aligning with the best available evidence will be key if psychedelic therapy is to prevail in a clinical setting.

Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety80
Efficacy75/10
Quality65/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.15
Normalized Score0.75
Related Supplements