Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy and Standard Interventions for Nicotine Cessation

Nicotine dependence remains a leading cause of preventable mortality worldwide. Pharmacotherapy and behavioral interventions offer modest efficacy with limited long-term success. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) is an emerging approach to nicotine cessation with a growing evidence base. As PAP research expands, understanding how nicotine users’ attitudes shape treatment engagement becomes critical. We surveyed daily nicotine users (N = 534) to assess their perceptions and attitudes toward PAP versus standard cessation interventions. Point-biserial correlations and multiple linear regressions examined predictors of treatment interest and credibility. Findings suggest that familiarity with treatment options predicts perceptions of credibility for both interventions (standard: β = 0.16, p