Predictors of Pharmacy Students' Attitudes About the Therapeutic Use of Psilocybin

Background Psilocybin has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While more research is needed psilocybin-assisted therapy becomes prevalent, future pharmacists will probably be involved at some level. At present, receive minimal training on psilocybin, little known about their attitudes toward use medical purposes. Findings from recent clinical studies have attempted to establish safety efficacy leading an increased interest in psilocybin United States. This study aimed assess if self-assessed knowledge concerns adverse effects, opinions legalization make statistically significant contributions pharmacy students' practice. Methods Pharmacy students’ knowledge, concern perceptions were investigated using a cross-sectional survey design. Data collected March 13 April 7, 2023, convenience sample 161 students enrolled accredited school southern region States 41-item anonymous quantitative developed by researchers that contained validated scales. The was delivered electronically. Multiple regression modeling conducted determine would predict therapy-assisted use. approved Institutional Review Board authors' university. Results mean age participants 24 years (SD = 2.981; range 20-40 years). Twenty (12.4%) reported previous recreational purposes two (1.2%) having used it therapeutically. Many (n =121; 75.2%) believed should decriminalized use, but only 54 (33.5%) thought A multiple linear model predicting "attitudes psilocybin" (dependent variable) produced results: (F(4, 122) 40.575, p < 0.001), with R2 0.571 (adjusted 0.557). Greater "self-assessed psilocybin," less "concern possible negative effects," greater "belief decriminalization use," use" (all independent variables) associated positive psilocybin. percentage variance scores accounted 57%. Conclusions may lack information regarding report desire learn it. Their driven this addition effects issues. Due dearth published acceptance viable option patients, further psychedelic-assisted treatments warranted.