Recent years have witnessed a resurgence of research of psychedelics as potential treatments for psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to assess the attitudes of mental health professionals toward the clinical use of psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). A total of 307 participants, predominantly female (70.4%) responded, comprising psychologists (58.6%), psychiatrists (15%), and psychiatry trainees (26.4%). Participants expressed openness to using psilocybin (64%) and MDMA (59%) in clinical settings, with a significant majority desiring further training (83% psilocybin, 81% MDMA). Knowledge gaps were identified, as only 41% and 27% of respondents reported good knowledge of the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and MDMA, respectively, while fewer understood their pharmacology (29% psilocybin, 25% MDMA). Attitudes toward legalization were cautious, with higher support for supervised medical use (70% psilocybin, 57% MDMA). Concerns were primarily focused on the lack of trained professionals (73% for both substances) and administration to patients with contraindications (53% psilocybin, 50% MDMA), and patient abuse/exploitation (49% psilocybin, 56% MDMA). Men reported higher levels of knowledge and more positive attitudes toward both substances, while women expressed greater concerns about addiction/dependence and financial costs. Past users of psychedelics reported significantly higher knowledge and more positive attitudes compared to nonusers. These findings underscore the usefulness of targeted education and training programs to address knowledge gaps and safety concerns, with tailored approaches considering gender, age, and professional background. Future research should focus on developing standardized therapeutic protocols and exploring the long-term outcomes of psychedelic-assisted therapies, both of which will facilitate their acceptance by professional for clinical practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Encantado et al. (Sun,) studied this question.