Photos of psychedlic drugs including mushrooms/psilocybin and MDMA pills

Psychedelic drugs for treating mental ill-health: Australian perceptions and attitudes

Help us understand your views on using psychedelic drugs to treat mental ill-health.

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Help us understand your views on using psychedelic drugs to treat mental ill-health. 

About the survey

There is growing research interest in using psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin (‘magic mushrooms’) and MDMA (‘ecstasy’) to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, little is known about public perceptions of using psychedelic drugs as medicines in Australia. This research aims to improve our understanding of people’s perceptions about the use of psilocybin and MDMA as medicines to treat symptoms of mental ill-health. In this survey, we will investigate people’s thoughts, feelings, and attitudes towards their use, or supporting others use, of psychedelic drugs as treatments. The information gathered from this survey will inform ongoing mental health needs of individuals and communities in Australia, with practical implications for addressing barriers and access to novel psychedelic medicines. The ethical aspects of this research have been approved by the UOW Health and Medical Human Research Ethics Committee (Protocol 2024/041). 

Who can participate? 

We invite all persons, whether you have knowledge of psychedelic drugs or medicines, to participate in this research. The survey is open to all persons who: a) are aged 18 years or older; b) have lived in Australia since July 2020; and c) can read and write English well enough to complete the survey. We are seeking approx. 1500 volunteers to complete the survey. 

How do I join? 

The survey can be completed at your convenience online (select 'Complete the Survey link, below). Before commencing the survey, it is important you carefully read the Participant Information Sheet for details about the study and consider whether the study is right for you.

Thank you for your interest in this study.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY 

Members

Principal investigator

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Co-investigator

Conal Monaghan

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

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