Psychedelic Knowledge and Attitudes Among Saudi Medical and Psychology Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65761/jbs.2026.72Keywords:
Psychedelics; Knowledge; Attitudes; Medical students; Psychology students.Abstract
Background: Psychedelic substances have received increasing scientific attention because of their potential therapeutic applications in mental health. However, knowledge and attitudes toward these substances among future healthcare professionals remain insufficiently explored in Saudi Arabia.
Objective: This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and openness toward psychedelics among medical and psychology students in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2024 among 374 medical and psychology students from three academic institutions in Jeddah. Data were collected using a bilingual, self-administered online questionnaire assessing demographics, psychedelic knowledge, attitudes toward legal and therapeutic use, perceived effects and risks, and openness. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.04, with Chi-square tests used to examine associations.
Results: Participants demonstrated moderate overall knowledge of psychedelics and relatively high risk perception. Most students supported further research into therapeutic applications and favored medically supervised use, whereas recreational legalization received substantially less support. Psychology students demonstrated significantly higher knowledge and openness scores than medical students, while medical students showed greater risk perception. Academic discipline was significantly associated with several knowledge and attitude domains.
Conclusion: Saudi medical and psychology students showed cautious but generally receptive attitudes toward regulated therapeutic applications of psychedelics. Incorporating evidence-based psychedelic education into healthcare curricula may improve future professional preparedness.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ahmed R. Alharbi, Sara M. Alqahtani, Omar H. Alzahrani
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