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

Scientific reports
November 14, 2024
Erin Wang et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes regarding psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with MDMA and psilocybin, focusing on openness to clinical use.

Results Summary

Healthcare professionals expressed moderate openness to clinical use of MDMA, with higher ratings for psilocybin. Concerns included lack of trained providers, financial cost, and potential contraindications. Prior psychedelic use, self-rated knowledge, younger age, and professional role predicted openness to MDMA use.

Population

879 U.S. healthcare professionals (71.2% female, 85.8% White, mean age 45.5 years), including registered nurses (25.4%) and physicians (17.7%).

Effective Dosage

Not mentioned

Duration

Not mentioned

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with substances like psilocybin and MDMA
increase
conditions including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder
-
-
has shown promise
#1
Psilocybin and MDMA
increase
-
-
-
may become approved medicines
#2
-
increase
therapeutic promise
879 U.S. healthcare professionals
-
endorsed strong belief
#3
-
increase
clinical use
879 U.S. healthcare professionals
-
endorsed moderate openness
#4
-
increase
legal access to both substances
879 U.S. healthcare professionals
-
endorsed moderate support
#5
psilocybin
increase
-
879 U.S. healthcare professionals
-
higher overall ratings
#6
-
decrease
therapeutic uses, risks, and pharmacology
879 U.S. healthcare professionals
-
revealed low knowledge
#7
Prior psychedelic use
increase
clinical use of psilocybin and MDMA
879 U.S. healthcare professionals
-
predicted openness
#8
Self-rated knowledge
increase
clinical use of psilocybin and MDMA
879 U.S. healthcare professionals
-
predicted openness
#9
Younger age
increase
clinical use of psilocybin and MDMA
879 U.S. healthcare professionals
-
predicted openness
#10
Professional role
increase
clinical use of psilocybin and MDMA
879 U.S. healthcare professionals
-
predicted openness
#11
-
decrease
clinical use of psilocybin and MDMA
physicians
-
reporting lower openness
#12
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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansPsilocybinFemaleMaleMiddle AgedAdultHealth PersonnelN-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamineHallucinogensUnited StatesHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeSurveys and QuestionnairesAttitude of Health Personnel
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score2.50
Normalized Score0.61
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