Amid magic and menace: psychiatrists' attitudes to psilocybin therapy.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.