Journal of psychoactive drugsSep 1, 2026

Factors Linked to Plans to Use Psilocybin for Mental Health Compared to Therapy, Psychiatric Drugs, and Natural or Synthetic Treatments

Psychedelic Science Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Sep 2, 2026

Abstract

In two studies involving a total of 1,102 participants, intentions to use psilocybin for mental health purposes were assessed.

Participants showed significantly lower intentions to use psilocybin compared to psychotherapy and traditional psychiatric medications.
Males reported greater openness to using psilocybin than females, while females were more open to psychotherapy than males.
Younger participants and those with higher levels of mindfulness, narcissism, and self-reported depression were more likely to intend to use psilocybin.
Stronger intentions were found for a natural version of psilocybin isolated from mushrooms compared to synthetic versions.

Simplified

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.

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Factors Linked to Plans to Use Psilocybin for Mental Health Compared to Therapy, Psychiatric Drugs, and Natural or Synthetic Treatments

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