New study reveals complex attitudes toward psychedelic therapy

New study reveals complex attitudes toward psychedelic therapy

In an in-depth Genomic Press interview with Emory University researchers, a new study released today reveals complex attitudes toward psychedelic therapy, with detailed statistics showing both strong support for potential benefits and significant awareness of risks.

The research, published in the journalPsychedelicssurveyed 178 participants at an academic conference focused on psychedelics and spiritual care. Participants included 32 active facilitators of psychedelic therapy, of whom 87.5% reported personal experience with psychedelics and 62.1% had used psychedelics specifically for therapeutic purposes.

“What impressed us most was the strong understanding of both the benefits and risks among conference participants and practitioners in psychedelic treatment,” says Professor Roman Palitsky of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University, the study's corresponding author. "While 40.2% of participants agreed that psychedelics could be harmful even in a therapeutic context, we also strongly believed that they have potential benefits, particularly in certain medical conditions," added Dr. Zachary Bosshardt, lead author of the study, added.

Dr. Jessica L. Maples-Keller, co-author of the study, explains the results on treatment approaches: “Among facilitators, we found a preference for established therapeutic frameworks, with 65.6% using supportive or Rogerian psychotherapy and many other using structured approaches.” likes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This suggests a bridge between traditional therapeutic approaches and psychedelic treatment.

These findings tell us something important about the evolving landscape of psychedelic therapy. We see a field maturing beyond simple enthusiasm and developing a more nuanced understanding of both opportunities and challenges.”

Dr. Boadie W. Dunlop, co-author of the study

Dr. Deanna M. Kaplan, who contributed to the study, points out an interesting finding: "The fact that 30.7% of respondents responded 'not sure' about possible harmful effects suggests an appropriate level of professional humility about these potent compounds. This uncertainty." could actually be healthy for the development of the field.

The research also illuminated important questions about the future of psychedelic therapy, particularly regarding training protocols and the integration of traditional practices with modern medical approaches.

Professor Barbara Rothbaum highlights the implications for clinical practice: "Our results suggest that we need to develop robust safety protocols while remaining optimistic about the therapeutic potential. The high rate of personal psychedelic use among facilitators - 87.5% for any use and 62.1% for therapeutic purposes - also raises important questions about the training and preparation of practitioners."

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