Date of Award

Summer 2026

Language

English

Embargo Period

7-26-2026

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

College/School/Department

Department of Psychology

Program

Clinical Psychology

First Advisor

Mitchell Earleywine, Ph.D.

Committee Members

Drew Anderson, Ph.D

Subject Categories

Clinical Psychology

Abstract

Clinical trials suggest potential therapeutic utility of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) for nicotine cessation. In response to promising outcomes, research into PAP for nicotine dependence is growing. However, attitudes towards PAP among the general public, especially daily nicotine users, remains understudied. To address this knowledge gap, we recruited daily nicotine users (N=534) to complete an anonymous online survey with questions on demographics, nicotine use, prior history with psychedelics, and attitudes towards PAP and standard interventions for nicotine cessation. As hypothesized, daily nicotine users were more familiar with standard interventions and rated them more favorably than PAP. Despite differences in treatment attitudes, participants were equally willing to pursue both treatment modalities for nicotine cessation. Furthermore, motivation to quit, history of psychedelic use, and treatment perceptions and familiarity all predicted credibility and willingness ratings for PAP and standard interventions. Given established links between perceived treatment credibility, treatment adherence, and outcome, these results underscore the need to improve perceptions of PAP for nicotine dependence before attempts to expand implementation of the intervention.

License

This work is licensed under the University at Albany Standard Author Agreement.

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