A Survey of American Psychiatrists' Attitudes Toward Classic Hallucinogens
Abstract
Recent years have seen renewed interest and research about the use of hallucinogens as possible agents in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. However, we are unaware of studies assessing the current attitudes of American psychiatrists regarding hallucinogens. Therefore, we e-mailed surveys to 1000 members of the American Psychiatric Association—250 resident-fellows and 750 attending psychiatrists. The response rate was 32.4%. Respondents tended to perceive hallucinogens as potentially hazardous and appropriately illegal for recreational purposes. However, a large minority expressed optimism about the potential use of hallucinogens for psychiatric treatment. Male and trainee respondents, as compared with female and attending respondents, reported less concern about the risks of hallucinogens and greater optimism about their therapeutic potential. Younger psychiatrists also seemed more optimistic. Optimism among trainees and younger psychiatrists may possibly reflect greater exposure to recent positive publications about hallucinogens and less awareness of more negative past reports.
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- Authors
- Barnett, B. S., Siu, W. O., & Pope, H. G.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Barnett, Brian S.
- Venue
- Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease
- Published
- 2018-06
- Volume
- 206
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 476-480
- ISSN
- 0022-3018 (ISSN-L)
- 1539-736X
- OpenAlex
- W2804532410
- Cited by
- 116
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 4.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Keywords
- psychedelic therapy, psychiatric treatment, gender differences, age differences, psychiatric trainees
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Attitude of Health Personnel, Female, Hallucinogens, Humans, Male, Psychiatry, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States, Substance-Related Disorders
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