Americans Favor Psilocybin For Mental Health Treatment, Study Finds

A new study published in AJOB Neuroscience reveals that most Americans are supportive of psilocybin use, a psychedelic compound derived from "magic mushrooms," in supervised, licensed settings. As PsyPost reported, this approval, spanning across political lines, underscores public openness to the controlled use of psilocybin for mental health treatment and general well-being, despite remaining concerns for policy caution.

Psilocybin, a Schedule 1 drug in the U.S., has long been classified as having a high potential for abuse with no accepted medical use. However, recent clinical studies suggest it may help alleviate symptoms of conditions such as treatment-resistant depression when administered under professional supervision. Unlike many medications, psilocybin is considered non-addictive, and studies have found it may also enhance overall well-being in healthy individuals.

This research aimed to explore public perceptions of psilocybin amid recent legislative progress, such as Oregon’s law allowing its therapeutic use. Researchers surveyed 805 Americans, aged 18 to 92, providing background on psilocybin's effects, origin and legal status before asking about support for nationwide legalization.

Mental Health Treatment Vs. Well-Being Enhancement

Participants were presented with two scenarios involving supervised psilocybin use: one for mental health treatment and the other for personal well-being. A strong 89% of participants supported psilocybin use for mental health treatment, while 85% approved its use for well-being enhancement. Though medical use garnered slightly more support, both scenarios saw broad endorsement.

The results show bipartisan support for supervised psychedelic therapy, with younger and more liberal adults showing stronger approval. Older adults and conservatives were more cautious, while those valuing empathy and care were more supportive of psilocybin use in therapy

Navigating Caution Amid The Psychedelic Renaissance

The study also sheds light on the importance of tempering enthusiasm with scientific rigor. According to the researchers, the growing interest in psychedelics comes with the risk of overhyping benefits. Given the early stage of the field, both over- and understatements of trial results are not uncommon. As they noted, while psilocybin shows significant medical potential and a strong safety profile, current evidence doesn’t support rash conclusions beyond its use in the right context.

While the findings suggest broad public support for supervised psychedelic use, the study focused only on licensed environments, excluding unsupervised or recreational use. Future research could explore attitudes toward these higher-risk aspects.

Building Trust And Policy For The Future

The study authors stressed the need for trust-building and caution in shaping future policies. "If the field can overcome scientific inaccuracies, pursue rigorous research, and build trust—then psychedelics such as psilocybin may one day be seen as a mainstream means to treat mental illness and possibly also to promote overall well-being," they concluded.

With public support reaching bipartisan levels, the potential for psilocybin to become part of standard mental health care is closer to reality than ever, signaling a transformative shift in mental health treatment in the U.S.

Cover image made with AI