Original Research
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
08:30 AM–10:00 AM
Abstract
Introduction: Recent data suggest psilocybin has potential therapeutic value. Pharmacists may be strategically placed to influence the recommendation and administration of psilocybin for therapeutic use in patients. With the science being somewhat nascent, few studies have investigated pharmacy students’ perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes regarding psilocybin-assisted therapy.
Research Question or Hypothesis: To explore pharmacy students’ perceived knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about psilocybin for therapeutic use.
Study Design: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from a sample of pharmacy students using an online, anonymous questionnaire via REDCap between March-April 2023.
Methods: The questionnaire was distributed to all the students (N=557) enrolled in a college of pharmacy in Georgia, United States. The survey contained measures using single items and Likert-type response sets to assess their perceived knowledge of medical psilocybin, concern for potential adverse effects, and perception regarding psilocybin’s therapeutic effectiveness. Hypothesis testing was performed using multivariate linear regression in SPSS statistical software.
Results: One hundred and sixty-one questionnaires were completed (28.9% response rate). Regression modeling produced a statistically significant equation: (F(5, 121) = 35.611, p < 0.001), with an R2 = 0.595 (adjusted R2 = 0.579), indicating that greater perceived knowledge about medical psilocybin, less concern over possible adverse effects of psilocybin use, greater belief in the decriminalization of psilocybin for recreational use, greater belief in the decriminalization of psilocybin for therapeutic use, and more desire to learn more about therapeutic psilocybin were associated with more positive perceptions about medical psilocybin.
Conclusion: Due to its therapeutic potential, interest in psilocybin will most likely gain momentum among researchers, pharmacists, and patients. For this reason, it may be important to understand future pharmacist perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes about its use. Moreover, pharmacy educators may need to consider curricular advancements regarding depicting not only the potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin, but its possible risks.
Presenting Author
N M Mahmudul Alam Bhuiya Ph.D. Student, M. Pharm.University of Georgia
Authors
Joshua Caballero Pharm.D.
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
Robin J. Jacobs PhD, MSW, MS, MPH
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Brenda Nava B.S.
Nova Southeastern University
Karina Wang B.S.
Nova Southeastern University
Sri Naga Sai Surya Akhila Yerubandi Ph.D. Student, Pharm. D.
University of Georgia
Luke Sampiere B.S.
Nova Southeastern University
Yiqun Sun B.S.
Nova Southeastern University