Predictors of attitudes toward psychedelics among psychologists in the USA

Abstract

As evidence for psychedelic-assisted therapy accumulates, legalization becomes more likely. As a result, there is an increasing need for psychologists to become educated about psychedelics and their therapeutic effects as they will play an important role in disseminating this treatment. Therefore, understanding psychologists’ current attitudes toward psychedelics is integral in informing dissemination and implementation efforts. In this article, we examined associations between individual difference variables and psychologists’ attitudes toward psychedelics, including age, gender, region, religious affiliation, personal experience with psychedelics, friends’ or loved ones’ experiences with psychedelics, level of training in addiction treatment, and knowledge of psychedelics. Results indicated that participants who were men, lived in West or Northeast regions of the USA, were younger, had greater knowledge of risks and benefits of psychedelics, were religiously unaffiliated, or had direct or indirect (i.e. through peers) experience with psychedelics reported more positive attitudes toward psychedelics. The only variable not associated with more positive attitudes was previous addictions treatment training. These findings suggest that psychologists are not monolithic in their attitudes toward psychedelics. Furthermore, these findings can help inform potential paths for improving attitudes toward psychedelics among psychologists, such as by emphasizing the importance of using case studies in public education efforts.

Keywords:

• Psychedelics
• attitudes
• psychologists
• survey
• hallucinogens
• stigma

Author contributions

A.K.D., B.P., and J.B.L. were responsible for study design and conceptualization. A.K.D. was responsible for study recruitment and data collection. J.B.L. was responsible for data analysis and all authors were involved in the interpretation of findings. J.B.L. and B.P. were responsible for drafting the first iteration of the manuscript and all authors contributed to writing and editing of subsequent drafts. All authors approved the final draft.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

Upon request from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center; Tim Ferriss; Matt Mullenweg; Craig Nerenberg; Blake Mycoskie; the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation; and the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, funded by anonymous private donors.