[Attitudes of Mental Health Experts Towards Psilocybin].

OBJECTIVE

In recent years, studies investigating the use of psilocybin to treat mental disorders have shown promising results. In this context, this online survey investigated attitudes of trained psychiatrists and psychotherapists towards psilocybin and psilocybin-assisted therapies.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A total of 530 valid responses from individuals with suitable job profiles were collected in this online survey. Statistical analysis was used to identify relevant predictors of attitude measures.

RESULTS

The opinions of experts in the treatment of mental disorders with psilocybin and psilocybin-assisted therapies varied widely, and the level of knowledge of the participants to some extent was low. A large number of participants considered treatment of mental disorders with psilocybin to be promising and treatment of depression with psilocybin was seen as promising by the majority of the participants. The results of this study suggest that a higher level of knowledge about psilocybin is associated with more optimistic views about its use in a therapeutic setting. Having additional scientific information led in some cases to more optimistic attitudes towards psilocybin and the use of psilocybin in the treatment of mental disorders.

CONCLUSION

If the scientific and public discourse on psilocybin continues to grow in the future, changes in the attitudes of psychotherapists and psychiatrists can be expected.