Survey Finds Majority of Affected Americans Approve of Psychedelics to Treat Anxiety, Depression, PTSD

A new survey found that nearly two-thirds of Americans with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced residual negative feelings after receiving traditional pharmaceutical treatments. Furthermore, these patients believe that psychedelic medicines should be made available for treatment-resistant anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

The survey was conducted online in December 2021 among 953 adults who suffer from anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Among those participants, 63% said that although prescription medications helped manage their conditions, they still experienced feelings of anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Notably, 18% said that the medication they were prescribed did not improve their condition or made it worse.

“Our country’s mental health crisis not only impacts public health, but also the economy—each yer, untreated mental illness costs the US up to $300 billion in lost productivity,” said Matt Stang, co-founder and CEO of Delic, in a press release.

According to the results, 83% of respondents who suffer from anxiety, depression, or PTSD would be open to pursuing alternative treatments that are proven to be more effective than prescription medications with fewer adverse effects (AEs). Among those participants, many said they would specifically be interested in using ketamine, psilocybin, or methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA).

Among the survey respondents, 66% said they would be open to pursuing treatment using ketamine to treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD if it was proven to be more effective than prescription medication with fewer AEs. Similarly, 62% said they would be open to using psilocybin prescribed by a physician, and 56% said they would be open to using MDMA.

“We are witnessing a silent crisis impacting people across the globe exacerbated by an ongoing pandemic, and the results of this survey should compel more medical professionals and lawmakers to support in-depth studies on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic medicine,” Stang said in the press release. “This promising family or new medicines has the potential to be more effective than traditional medicines with minimal side effects, giving people their best selves back.”

REFERENCE

Survey Finds Majority of Affected Americans Approve of Psychedelics as an Alternative Treatment to Address Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD. News release; Delic Corp. January 17, 2022. Accessed January 18, 2022. https://deliccorp.com/press-releases/delic-corp-harris-poll-results/