As awareness of substances such as psilocybin or MDMA grows and more jurisdictions adopt reform, the way people use psychedelics changes. A new poll shows that a majority in the United States support decriminalizing or regulating psychedelics. However, some negative attitudes towards entheogens still persist.
The results of the Center for the Science of Psychedelics’ (BCSP) survey conducted by UC Berkeley were released this week. They are one of the most comprehensive studies of public attitudes towards these substances, at a moment when laws governing their use are being debated from the local to the federal level.
The Center released the top-line results of the survey in late October. It showed that 61 per cent of U.S. voters supported “creating an regulated legal framework to allow therapeutic use of psychoedelics,” with 35 percent strongly supporting it.
The first-ever UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey has been released.
It is important to track public opinion in order to inform policy and public education, as well as engage in a nuanced discussion that cuts through the hype & stigma.
Dive into the data here: https://t.co/IzPJi2oITl pic.twitter.com/zgO59EoFIj
The UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics July 12 2023
The newly released broader survey results also provide a deeper look at how people experience psychedelics.
According to the poll, 47 percent of Americans had heard of psychedelics in the past few months. A large majority of them (48%) said that they were told that these drugs were being used for mental health treatments. This makes sense, given the increasing media attention on psychedelics and the volume of legislation that has been passed in recent years.
When asked about their familiarity of various psychedelics 96 percent reported that they have heard about LSD. This was followed by MDMA (91%), psilocybin (83%), peyote/mescaline (67%), ketamine (66%), DMT (37%), ayahuasca (35%), and ibogaine (12%). As a baseline, 99 percent of respondents reported that they are familiar with marijuana.
Over half (52%) of respondents said they had used psychedelics or that someone in their family has. Of this group, 48 per cent said their use took place within the past five years.
Then, people were asked to describe their use of entheogens. Seventy-three per cent of those who consume psychedelics say they do so for recreational purposes. This is followed by therapeutic use (39%) and spiritual use (32%). The numbers are higher because they were able select multiple options.
The most common reason for using psychedelics was recreational. However, when asked about their recent experience, it became clear that people were increasingly interested in therapeutic use and microdosing.
Only 21 percent of respondents who used the drug more than 10 year ago stated that they were using it for therapeutic reasons. This number jumps to 53 percent among those who have used the drug in the last five years. Microdosing also increased from 14 to 41 percent in these two categories.
While the majority of respondents support reforming psychedelics policies and encouraging research into these substances, the survey also revealed that many people have negative opinions about them. 59 per cent of respondents said psychedelics were “dangerous” and 59 per cent said the substances could have “long-term adverse impacts on health”.
47 percent of Americans, even among those who support the legalization and regulation of psychedelics as a form therapy, said the substances were not “good” for society. Another 63 said that the substances weren’t “something people like me would use.”
The first UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey is now available.
Voters have reservations about policy changes but are open-minded.
Full results here: https://t.co/IzPJi2oITl pic.twitter.com/dXTSOEby8R
— UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics July 13, 2020
A first-degree relationship with psychedelics can have a profound impact on one’s perception. 53 percent of those who have a connection to psychedelics said that they could improve creativity, while only 19 percent of those without a connection claimed the same.
People who are either close to someone who is an entheogen or have experienced it themselves are more likely than those without a connection to the first degree to believe that psychedelics should be a major topic for scientific research. (70%)
Nurses, scientists and doctors are the people most trusted to give information on psychedelics. The FDA, psychiatrists, indigenous practitioners and veterans who have used psychedelics are the next most trusted sources.
The least trusted were the police, parents groups, politicians, and religious leaders.
The survey found that 80 percent of liberal voters support the legalization of psychedelics as a therapeutic tool, compared to only 66 percent for moderates and just 45 percent for conservatives.
The UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey is vital for understanding the current public opinion on psychedelics. Michael Pollan, , the author who founded the center for psychedelics, , said , in a recent press release. The most effective debates in the media, public education and policy reforms will be informed by data, rather than assumptions, and will reflect the hopes, fears and perceptions of different communities in the U.S.
The first UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey is now available.
Explore the data here: https://t.co/IzPJi2oITl pic.twitter.com/HtWn2k97N4
— UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics July 13, 2020
Imran Khan, BCSP’s Executive Director, said, “Our mission is to support a burgeoning psychedelics field with vital evidence and reliable data. The UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey will provide this information needed for policy, businesses, media, and research in the present and future.”
The survey included interviews with 1500 Americans between June 9-15. The margin of error for this survey is +/-2.5 percentage points.
There are many surveys that show the bipartisan support growing for marijuana reforms in the U.S. However, there is a lack of comprehensive polling about psychedelics.
Another national poll of likely voters conducted in March found similar results. The majority supported regulated access to psychoactive drugs for therapy, and federal decriminalization. The polling on psychedelics has largely been limited to certain regions. For example, Colorado, and Washington D.C..
Denver was the first city to decriminalize the psilocybin mushroom in the United States just four years ago. The majority’s support for reform has been consistent, and this interest is reflected by the huge push to change the laws that govern the hallucinogenic substance at the federal, state, and local levels.
GOP lawmakers outraged about marijuana and cocaine found at Biden White House. One says it endangers the president’s “well-being”
Photo elements are courtesy carlosemmaskype, and Apollo.
The post Marijuana Moment : The way people use psychedelics is changing amid reform movement, but negative attitudes persist, reveals a novel survey, appeared first on Marijuana moment .
