Factors Associated with Intentions to Use Psilocybin for Mental Health in Relation to Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Medications, and Natural/Synthetic Options

01/09/2026

AI Summary

Participants reported lower intentions to use psilocybin for mental health than for psychotherapy or traditional psychiatric medications.
Intentions associated with demographics and traits: higher in males, lower with age; positively linked to mindfulness, narcissism, and current depression.
Participants preferred natural psilocybin isolated from mushrooms over identical synthetic versions or synthetic analogues.

AI Summary

In two studies involving independent samples (total N = 1,102), we examined the intentions to use psilocybin in a mental health context in relation to psychotherapy, psychiatric medication, and natural versus synthetic options.

In Study 1, we found that participants had significantly lower intentions to use psilocybin in a mental health context versus psychotherapy and traditional psychiatric medications.

In Study 2, we found that participants had stronger intentions to use a natural version of psilocybin isolated from mushrooms as compared to an identical synthetic version or a synthetic psilocybin analog that elicits the same biological effects (i.e. the three types of psilocybin or psilocybin-like compounds currently of interest).

Basic summary

J Psychoactive Drugs. 2026 Sep 1:1-9. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2727013. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Few studies have examined perceptions of psilocybin for use in a mental health context. In two studies involving independent samples (total N = 1,102), we examined the intentions to use psilocybin in a mental health context in relation to psychotherapy, psychiatric medication, and natural versus synthetic options. We also examined potential predictors of the intentions to use psilocybin. In Study 1, we found that participants had significantly lower intentions to use psilocybin in a mental health context versus psychotherapy and traditional psychiatric medications. We also found that males reported being more open to using psilocybin as compared to females whereas females reported being more open than males to using psychotherapy. Finally, psilocybin use intentions were negatively associated with age, and positively associated with mindfulness, narcissism, and current self-reported depression. In Study 2, we found that participants had stronger intentions to use a natural version of psilocybin isolated from mushrooms as compared to an identical synthetic version or a synthetic psilocybin analog that elicits the same biological effects (i.e. the three types of psilocybin or psilocybin-like compounds currently of interest). Overall, these studies provide novel insights into the factors that might influence psilocybin use in a mental health context if FDA-approved.

PMID:42678038 | DOI:10.1080/02791072.2026.2727013

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