A newly published study shows that more than 80 percent (or moderate to strong) of psychiatrists believe that psychedelics can be used to treat mental disorders. Researchers found that compared to a survey conducted in 2016, there was “significantly more optimism about the therapeutic promise and reduced concern regarding risks.”
“Our data reveal a striking positive shift in attitudes toward the therapeutic potential of hallucinogens among American psychiatrists since 2016,” authors wrote, “with a majority of responding psychiatrists planning to incorporate hallucinogen-assisted therapy into their practice if regulatory approval is granted.”
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University and Yale University School of Medicine sent surveys to 1,000 resident psychiatrists and attending psychiatrists. 131 of them responded. Participants were asked to rate statements about psychedelics on a 5-point scale, ranging from “strongly disagree” up to “strongly agree.”
Seven of the statements are the same as in 2016, allowing for comparisons. In the new version of the survey, six additional statements were added. These included questions about the legalization and use of medical psychedelics in treating substance abuse disorders (SUDs), the funding of clinical trials by the federal government, research, and whether or not therapists will incorporate psychedelic assisted treatment into their practices if federal regulatory approval is granted.
“The most striking finding of our study,” the team wrote in the new paper published last week in the journal Psychedelic Medicine, “was that respondents displayed significantly lower levels of concern about the risks of hallucinogens and significantly higher levels of enthusiasm about the potential promise of hallucinogen-assisted therapy as compared with respondents in 2016.”
The new survey found that respondents were more optimistic about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. They also showed less concern over their risks. “They also strongly supported legalizing hallucinogens to be used for medical purposes, more research into the therapeutic applications of hallucinogens to treat psychiatric disorders, SUDs and more federal funding to support associated clinical trials.”
In 2016, for example, 54.2 percent of therapists surveyed said the substances “should be illegal to possess or use recreationally/non-medically.” Among respondents in 2022 and 2023, that proportion had dropped to 30.5 percent.
In 2016, less than half of psychiatrists (42.4%) felt that psychedelics were “promising” in treating psychiatric disorder. By 2022-2023 the proportion increased to more than eight in ten (80.9%).
In the new survey, less therapists were concerned that hallucinogens could increase the risk of psychiatric disorders in subsequent years (36.9 % vs. 64.8 %) or cognitive impairments (21.5 % vs. 48.0%). Hallucinogens were deemed “unsafe” to use even when under medical supervision by 24.6 percent of respondents in 2016. This number dropped to 9.9 percent with the new survey.
About half of the psychiatrists surveyed said they would integrate psychedelic assisted therapies into their practices after federal approval. However, this proportion varied significantly by age. The statement that such therapies should be incorporated was moderately or strongly supported by 58.3 percent of those aged 40 or younger compared to only 44.1 percent for therapists over 40.
Younger therapists were also less likely to say that hallucinogens “are unsafe to use, even under medical supervision” (5.0 percent vs. 14.3 percent among psychiatrists over 40) or that the substances “should be illegal to possess or use recreationally/non-medically” (21.7 percent vs. 37.1 percent). Clinical staff aged 40 and younger are more likely than their older colleagues to believe that the medical use of hallucinogens is a good idea (81.4 percent vs. 64.3 percent).
Both age groups were in agreement that more research should be done on hallucinogens, as a possible treatment option for SUDs and psychiatric disorder (91.7 percent among those under 40 and 91.4 among those over 40).
The study is part of an increasing number of published studies that investigate the mental health benefits associated with psychedelics. In a report published in Frontiers of Psychiatry earlier this month, researchers found that psilocybin use resulted “persistent reductions” of depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse as well as increased emotional regulation, spiritual wellness, and extraversion.
This research was published a few weeks after a study by the American Medical Association, which showed that patients with major depression saw ‘clinically significant sustained relief’ in their symptoms following just one dose.
Researchers said that a separate study published in Nature this month found that patients with moderate-to-severe PTSD experienced fewer symptoms after being treated with MDMA. These findings could lead to the drug’s approval by the federal government as soon as next year. FDA designated MDMA in 2017 as a “breakthrough treatment” based upon previous trials.
A study published in the last month showed that administered a small amount of MDMA with psilocybin or LSD , appears to reduce uncomfortable feelings like guilt or fear which are sometimes side effects when consuming magic mushrooms or LSD.
The first of its kind analysis, released in June, provided novel insights into how psychedelic assisted therapy may help people who struggle with alcoholism.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has recently begun soliciting proposals to fund a series research initiatives that explore the use of psychedelics to treat drug abuse.
California Gov. Says Psychedelics have a ‘profound’ healing potential, but He’s Not Decided On Bill Legalization As Poll Shows Majority Of Voters Favor It
Image courtesy of Workman.
The post A Survey Of Psychiatrists Shows A ‘Striking Shift Positive’ In Attitudes To Psychedelics In Past 7 Years first appeared on Marijuana moment.
