ATTITUDES TOWARDS PSYCHEDELICS AND PSYCHEDELIC SCIENCE AMONG MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS IN SWEDEN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract: Recently, psychedelic science (PS) has been going through a resurge with a vast increase in publications. Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) is demonstrating promising results across the treatment of various psychiatric disorders; however, psychedelic science remains absent from the curriculum of both medical and psychology students in Sweden. This study examined medical students' attitudes towards PS, comparing them with psychology students' attitudes, which were previously investigated. The medical students' knowledge and attitudes towards psychedelic science and its therapeutic potential were analysed using a cross-sectional survey study design. Data from psychology students were collected in the spring of 2023, while data from medical students were collected in the fall of 2023. Both datasets were based on a digital survey, Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire, APQ. Multiple Mann-Whitney U tests and a chi-square test were performed across the two groups. n = 316 psychology students and n = 709 medical students answered the survey. Psychology students held more positive attitudes, rated themself as more knowledgeable and followed new findings about psychedelic science to a higher degree compared to medical students. There were no differences between the groups concerning the interests in learning about psychedelics as part of their curriculum, nor the current amount of education in PS they have received. Students who have used psychedelics themselves for recreational purposes held more positive attitudes compared to non-users. This study revealed an unmet request for education about PS from students. We argue this lack of education in PS may delay a future potential implementation of PAT in Sweden.