French psychiatric caregivers' perceptions of psychedelics: A national survey.

Abstract

Objectives: The use of psychedelic substances such as LSD, psilocybin, and dimethyltryptamine is currently being re-evaluated for their therapeutic potential in psychiatry. While international clinical research had started in the 2010s, France only initiated its first psychedelic trials in 2024. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of French mental health professionals regarding the use of psychedelics in clinical and recreational settings.

Materials and methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024 among psychiatry caregivers in France. The questionnaire included 19 items across five sections: demographic information, knowledge of psychedelics, perception of their therapeutic and recreational use, and personal experimentation with psychoactive substances. Data was analyzed using linear and ordinal regressions, controlling for age, gender, profession and experience with ketamine.

Results: A total of 298 respondents participated, primarily from public hospitals. Most were psychiatrists (41.4%) or psychologists (20.4%). About 88% had heard of medical studies on psychedelics, with high awareness of psilocybin and ketamine use in treatment-resistant depression. However, awareness of other therapeutic indications was limited. Fifty-three percent rated the therapeutic benefit-risk ratio of psychedelics as favorable, whereas 61% rated recreational use as dangerous. Favorable perception of therapeutic use was associated with male gender, personal experience with psychedelics, and clinical practice with ketamine. However, in a subgroup of clinicians (psychiatrists, residents, nurses) only clinical practice with ketamine remained significantly associated with favorable opinions. Personal experimentation was the only predictor of more positive attitudes toward recreational use.

Discussion: The results indicated a moderate but cautious openness among French psychiatry caregivers towards therapeutic psychedelics, less enthusiastic than in other international surveys. Their opinions were strongly influenced by personal and clinical experience. A notable finding was the clear separation caregivers made between therapeutic and recreational contexts.

Conclusions: French psychiatry caregivers are aware of the growing interest in psychedelics and express moderate support for their medical use. Clinical practice with ketamine appears to play a pivotal role in shaping favorable attitudes. As France embarks on clinical trials with psychedelics, caregiver perspectives are likely to evolve, warranting further surveys in the coming years.