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The UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023

Michael Pollan, Imran Khan, and Taylor West

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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The UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey

Methods

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Conducted June 9-15, 2023
1,500 registered voters in the U.S.
Margin of error = +/-2.5%
Randomly selected, demographically representative
Surveyed by a combination of online and phone interviews

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Awareness of Psychedelics

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Nearly Half of Respondents Have Heard About Psychedelics Recently

Roughly one in six people have recently heard ‘a great deal’

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“Have you seen, heard, or read anything recently about psychedelic substances?”

47%

have heard about psychedelics recently

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Respondents Are Hearing About Psychedelics for Mental Health

In an open-ended question, almost four times as many respondents mentioned mental health as the next most common answer

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“In a few words of your own, what have you seen, heard or read about them?”

(Open-ended, multiple answers allowed)

Of the 47% who have heard something recently about psychedelics, what have they heard?

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Knowledge about Psychedelics

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Voter Awareness of Substances and Classification as ‘Psychedelic’

LSD and ‘magic mushrooms’ most widely recognized as psychedelics

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“I am going to read you a list of substances. I’d like you to tell me whether you have heard of it – even if only just the name. If you don’t know either way, you can tell me that too.”

IF HEARD OF IT:

“From what you know, is that substance generally considered a psychedelic?”

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Voter Awareness of Substances and Classification as ‘Psychedelic’

Fewer than one in twenty recognize ibogaine as a psychedelic

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“I am going to read you a list of substances. I’d like you to tell me whether you have heard of it – even if only just the name. If you don’t know either way, you can tell me that too.”

IF HEARD OF IT:

“From what you know, is that substance generally considered a psychedelic?”

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Connection to

Psychedelic Use

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Reported Psychedelic Use - ‘First-Degree Connection’

Use by respondent or someone close to them defined as a ‘First-Degree connection’ to psychedelic use

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“Keeping in mind that this survey is confidential - to the best of your knowledge, have you or has someone close to you ever used a psychedelic?”

52%

say they or someone close to them has used a psychedelic

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Recency of Reported Psychedelic Use

Almost half of reported use is within last five years

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“Keeping in mind that this survey is confidential - to the best of your knowledge, have you or has someone close to you ever used a psychedelic?”

IF YES:

“How long ago did that occur?”

Of the 52% who reported they or someone close to them has used a psychedelic, when was that use?

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Characterization of Reported Psychedelic Use

Respondents could choose more than one type of use; most common was ‘recreational’

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“Keeping in mind that this survey is confidential - to the best of your knowledge, have you or has someone close to you ever used a psychedelic?”

IF YES:

“How would you characterize the use of the psychedelic? Please choose all that apply.”�(Multiple responses allowed.)

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Type of Reported Psychedelic Use Differs Depending on Recency

Psychedelic use in last five years significantly more likely to be characterized as therapeutic, microdosing

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“Keeping in mind that this survey is confidential - to the best of your knowledge, have you or has someone close to you ever used a psychedelic?”

IF YES:

“How long ago did that occur?”

“How would you characterize the use of the psychedelic? Please choose all that apply.”�(Multiple responses allowed.)

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Demographic Analysis

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Reported Awareness of Psychedelics by Gender and Age

Males and 30-50 year olds report most awareness of psychedelics

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Awareness

By Gender

Awareness

By Age Group

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Reported ‘First-Degree Connection’ by Gender and Age

Males and 30-50 year olds also report most First-Degree connection to psychedelic use

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1st-Degree Connection By Gender

1st-Degree Connection By Age Group

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Reported Awareness of Psychedelics by Education and Region

Western state residents are almost twice as likely to say they’ve heard a great deal than other regions

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Awareness

By Education

Awareness

By Region

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Regional Breakdowns Are Based on U.S. Census Designations

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Reported ‘First-Degree Connection’ by Education Level and Region

Despite reporting higher awareness levels, post-grads report lower levels of first-degree connection to use

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1st-Degree Connection By Education

1st-Degree Connection By Region

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Reported ‘Awareness’ by Ideology and Religious/Spiritual Practice

Conservatives and those with regular religious/spiritual practice report less awareness of psychedelics

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Awareness

By Ideology

Awareness

By Religious Practice

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Reported ‘First-Degree Connection’ by Ideology and Religious Practice

Conservatives and those with regular religious or spiritual practice report lowest first-degree connection to use

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1st-Degree Connection By Ideology

1st-Degree Connection

By Religious Practice

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Reported Awareness by Race/Ethnicity

African-American respondents report significantly less awareness of psychedelics

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Awareness

By Race/Ethnicity

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First-Degree Connection by Race/Ethnicity

African-American voters report significantly lower first-degree connections to psychedelic use

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1st-Degree Connection

By Race/Ethnicity

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Notable Demographics for Awareness of Psychedelics

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Notably Over-Represented Respondents Are:

Notably Under-Represented Respondents Are:

White or non-Latino/Black voters of color
Male
Liberal
Highly educated
Residing in western states
Ages 30-50
Engaged in little-to-no religious �or spiritual practice

African-American or Latino
Female
Conservative
High school education only
Residing in southern states
Ages 18-29 and 75+
Engaged in regular religious or spiritual practice

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Attitudes Toward Psychedelic Policy Reforms

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Five Policy Reform Proposals Were Tested

The tested proposals reflect psychedelic policy reform efforts underway at local, state, and federal levels

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Research Expansion

“Making it easier for scientists and researchers to study psychedelics and understand their effects”

Regulated Therapeutic Use

“Creating a regulated legal framework for the therapeutic use of psychedelics”

“Obtaining FDA approval so that people can access them by prescription”

Decriminalization

“Removing criminal penalties for personal use and possession of psychedelics”

Religious or Spiritual Use

“Allowing religious and spiritual use of psychedelics”

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Support for Research Expansion

More than three-quarters support making it easier to conduct research into psychedelics and their effects

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“I’d like to ask you about some proposals that have been made for psychedelics in America. For each, please tell me whether it’s something you would support or oppose:

Making it easier for scientists and researchers to study psychedelics and understand their effects.”

78%

say they support making it easier to research psychedelics

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Support for Regulated Therapeutic Use

More than 60% of voters support creating regulated therapeutic access programs for psychedelics

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“I’d like to ask you about some proposals that have been made for psychedelics in America. For each, please tell me whether it’s something you would support or oppose:

Creating a regulated legal framework for the therapeutic use of psychedelics”

61%

say they support a regulated legal framework for therapeutic use

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Support for Medicalization

The FDA approval route wins a majority, but support is lower and less intense than for therapeutic access

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“I’d like to ask you about some proposals that have been made for psychedelics in America. For each, please tell me whether it’s something you would support or oppose:

Obtaining FDA approval so that people can access them by prescription”

56%

say they support obtaining FDA approval for prescription use

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Support for Decriminalization

Half of respondents support one of the most open-access policies, but opposition is intense

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“I’d like to ask you about some proposals that have been made for psychedelics in America. For each, please tell me whether it’s something you would support or oppose:

Removing criminal penalties for personal use and possession of psychedelics.”

49%

say they support decriminalizing personal possession and use

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Support for Religious or Spiritual Use

Singling out religious use gets the lowest overall support and highest-intensity opposition of the proposals

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“I’d like to ask you about some proposals that have been made for psychedelics in America. For each, please tell me whether it’s something you would support or oppose:

Allowing religious and spiritual use of psychedelics.”

44%

say they support allowing religious and spiritual use

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Support for Policy Reform Mapped by Awareness Level

Higher awareness is positively correlated with support for all policy reforms but causation is not determined

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Support for Policy Reform Mapped by ‘First-Degree Connection’ to Use

Research expansion is the only policy reform supported by a majority of those with no connection to use

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+22

+30

+31

+32

+37

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A Closer Look at Regulated Therapeutic Access

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Support for Regulated Therapeutic Use

Sixty-one percent is greater support than regulated access ballot initiatives received in Oregon or Colorado

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“I’d like to ask you about some proposals that have been made for psychedelics in America. For each, please tell me whether it’s something you would support or oppose:

Creating a regulated legal framework for the therapeutic use of psychedelics”

61%

say they support a regulated legal framework for therapeutic use

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

Because there is no historical data tracking national public opinion around psychedelic policy, we aren’t able to look back in time to see how this number has evolved in recent years. However, polling for the Oregon psilocybin therapy initiative had that state’s voters only supporting it at around 40% in early 2020 before eventually growing and passing with 56% of the vote in November 2020. Two years later, Colorado’s psychedelic therapy initiative, which covered a broader swath of compounds and policy changes, passed with 54% of the vote. So there are at least indications that support for psychedelic policy reform has been increasing in recent years, and hitting more than 60% is especially notable, given how short this period of active advocacy around psychedelics has been. Let’s compare that to two other major public policy issues of recent years.

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Historical Polling on Legalizing Gay Marriage

Support for legalizing gay marriage did not exceed 60% until 2016

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“Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?

Gallup Data, 1969-2020

Years of active advocacy before reaching 60%:

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UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

Support for Regulated Therapeutic Use by Race/Ethnicity

African-American voters, while still half in favor, hold the lowest levels of support

41

All Voters (61%)

Support

By Race/Ethnicity

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Attitudes toward Psychedelic Treatment Populations

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Comfort with Psychedelic Therapy for Specific Populations

Majorities support eligibility for multiple mental health challenges, but hold back on addiction

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“Next is a list of groups or types of people who could be eligible for psychedelic therapy.

Please tell me how comfortable you would be with allowing that group or type of person to try it: very comfortable, somewhat comfortable, not too comfortable, or not at all comfortable.”

+63

+44

+42

+39

+24

+16

+9

-3

-6

Difference

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Perceptions of Psychedelics

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Perceptions of Psychedelics - Descriptions That Fit Well

By large margins, respondents believe psychedelics are “dangerous,” and can have long-term impacts

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“Next is a list of words and phrases that can be used to describe psychedelics. For each one, please tell me whether you believe it describes psychedelics well or not.

Please use a seven-point scale, where seven means it describes psychedelics VERY WELL and one means it does NOT describe psychedelics at all well.”

+54

+50

Difference

+46

+40

+37

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Perceptions of Psychedelics - Descriptions with Mixed Reactions

These statements drive less consensus, but “Not Well” sentiment tends to be more intense

46

+34

+26

Difference

+13

+4

0

-3

+7

-10

“Next is a list of words and phrases that can be used to describe psychedelics. For each one, please tell me whether you believe it describes psychedelics well or not.

Please use a seven-point scale, where seven means it describes psychedelics VERY WELL and one means it does NOT describe psychedelics at all well.”

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Perceptions of Psychedelics - Descriptions That Do Not Fit Well

Significant majorities say psychedelics are not ‘good for society’ and not ‘something for people like me’

47

-15

-16

Difference

-17

-30

-41

-24

-55

“Next is a list of words and phrases that can be used to describe psychedelics. For each one, please tell me whether you believe it describes psychedelics well or not.

Please use a seven-point scale, where seven means it describes psychedelics VERY WELL and one means it does NOT describe psychedelics at all well.”

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

These are the descriptions that respondents were most likely to say did NOT fit psychedelics well. Aside from “over-hyped,” most of these statements are things that psychedelic advocates would likely agree with. Perhaps more than anywhere else in the survey, here is where we see the difference between those inside the psychedelic bubble and those outside it. Note the bottom two. By 41-point and 55-point margins respectively, respondents said psychedelics were NOT good for society and NOT something for people like me. Those are powerful indications that, despite the openness to policy change that we saw in the earlier slides, voters generally still see psychedelics as something outside the mainstream.

This brings up one of the most interesting details from the poll - the large gap between support for policy reforms to make psychedelics more legally accessible and personally positive perceptions of psychedelics. Half of all voters support decrim, and 61% support regulated therapeutic use. But more than 60% of voters say psychedelics are not “good for society” and almost 70% say they are not “something for people like me.”

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Even Many Who Support Policy Change Hold Negative Perceptions

Nearly half who support therapeutic access say psychedelics are not good for society

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Of the 61% of respondents who support regulated therapeutic use…

47%

say psychedelics are NOT

“good for society”

63%

say psychedelics are NOT

“something for people like me”

56%

say psychedelics are NOT

“something I am interested in learning more about”

Of the 49% of respondents who support decriminalization…

41%

say psychedelics are NOT

“good for society”

57%

say psychedelics are NOT

“something for people like me”

39%

say psychedelics are NOT

“something I am interested in learning more about”

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

This brings up one of the most interesting details from the poll - the large gap between support for policy reforms to make psychedelics more legally accessible and personally positive perceptions of psychedelics. Half of all voters support decrim, and 61% support regulated therapeutic use. But more than 60% of voters say psychedelics are not “good for society” and almost 70% say they are not “something for people like me.” So we looked at the overlap. Among those who support decrim - generally considered the most open-access policy - we see relatively low percentages who believe psychedelics are not good for society and not something they’re interested in, but still a majority who don’t see psychedelics as something for them. Among those who support regulated therapeutic use, almost half still say psychedelics are not good for society, and majorities say it’s neither for them nor something they’re interested in learning more about. This implies that, for those who are exploring policy change efforts, there is space to get voters on board, particularly with regulated access, even without having to change overall cultural perceptions about psychedelics’ place in society. However, if you’re looking at these numbers with a policy hat on, you might also be concerned about the durability of support among these large percentages who hold negative perceptions. We know voters have been hearing a lot of positive things about psychedelics recently, particularly in the context of mental health, but if that narrative shifts, these voters who hold negative personal perceptions could be easily swayed away from their support of policy reform.

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‘Fits Well’ Perceptions Mapped by ‘First-Degree Connection’ to Use

Those with first-degree connection to psychedelic use have more positive sentiments towards them

49

+34

+31

Connection Difference

+30

+27

+24

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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‘Fits Well’ Perceptions Mapped by ‘First-Degree Connection’ to Use

Those without a connection to psychedelic use more likely to see them as dangerous, cause of crime

50

+20

+19

Connection Difference

+16

+8

+1

+15

+20

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Trusted Sources of Information

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Perceived Trustworthiness of Psychedelic Information by Group

Researchers and clinicians most trusted groups and professions

52

+58

+55

Difference

+53

+23

+24

+17

+46

“Now, I'm going to read the names of some people and organizations that might share information on the topics we’ve been discussing today.

After you hear each name, please tell me whether you would consider that person or organization to be trustworthy, or you would be suspicious of them.

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Perceived Trustworthiness of Psychedelic Information by Group

Faith leaders and politicians least trusted groups

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Difference

-1

-2

-35

-37

-7

“Next is a list of words and phrases that can be used to describe psychedelics. For each one, please tell me whether you believe it describes psychedelics well or not.

Please use a seven-point scale, where seven means it describes psychedelics VERY WELL and one means it does NOT describe psychedelics at all well.”

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

We wanted to know which groups & professions voters would find to be trustworthy sources of information about psychedelics, and asked our respondents who they would find very/somewhat trustworthy, and very/somewhat suspicious.

Less than half of voters would find psychedelic guides, law enforcement, or parents groups to be trustworthy sources of information on psychedelics. Few voters would find elected officials from their own political party, or faith leaders, to be trustworthy sources of information.

On the previous slide, data shows that there were four groups - nurses, scientists, doctors, and psychiatrists - who were seen as trustworthy by a clear majority of respondents.

Another three groups - Indigenous practitioners of psychedelic medicine, veterans who’ve used psychedelic therapy, and the FDA - would be trusted by just over half of voters. Note that, with the FDA, 22% of respondents also said they would find the organization ‘very suspicious’.

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Trust in Sources Variance With Reported Psychedelic Awareness

Those who report more awareness of psychedelics trust law enforcement less, psychedelic guides more

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Trust in Sources Varies by Reported Psychedelic Use

Those with a first-degree connection to psychedelic use trust all sources more, except law enforcement

55

+23

+14

+29

+33

+5

Implications, Questions, and Looking Ahead

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Voters Are Open to Policy Change and Have Significant Reservations

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Majorities in favor of:

easier psychedelic research (78%)
regulated therapy access (61%)

Minorities express personal comfort:

14% believe psychedelics are ‘for people like me’
20% believe they’re ‘good for society’

Difference could reflect:

flexibility in opinions
openness to new evidence
fragility of support
‘fringe’ status of psychedelics

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Awareness and Use Are Widespread But Uneven and Predict Sentiment

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48% of voters report recent hearing about psychedelics

52% report use by them or someone close to them

Voters reporting awareness and use more likely to also report:

support for policy change
positive sentiments
trust in almost all sources of info

Voters reporting awareness more likely to be:

white, male, liberal, highly-educated, residing in a western US state, aged 30-50, with little-to-no religious/spiritual practice

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey 2023 | psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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Questions for the Future

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Impact of Oregon, Colorado, potential FDA changes on national awareness and use?

Does correlation between awareness/use and support for policy change continue?

Demographic differences in race/ethnicity, ideology, and others shrink, maintain - or grow?

How do voters differ from non-voters - and Americans from the rest of the world?

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Get Involved & Support the UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey

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Ask questions on Twitter - @SciPsychedelics

Download the data at psychedelics.berkeley.edu

Email us at psychedelics@berkeley.edu:

Tell us what you find in the data
Invite us to discuss and present
Support the future of the Survey

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Acknowledgements

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Thank you to…

Miranda Everitt and Dave Metz at FM3 Research

Michael Silver and all colleagues at UC Berkeley

All respondents to the UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey

Our inaugural donor Blake Mycoskie

Blake Mycoskie

Inaugural Donor

UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey

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Thank You

psychedelics.berkeley.edu

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