New Polling by Mind Medicine Australia Reveals Over 60% of Australians Support Increased Access to Psychedelic Medicines
Mind 
Australia (MMA) is delighted to announce the findings of a sentiment poll we initiated through Essential Research last week.The poll was designed to gauge the sentiment of the Australian public on the issue of access to psychedelic medicines in medically controlled environments as treatments for key classes of mental illness. Essential Research polled over 1000 Australians aged 18+ across a broad spectrum of demographics achieving a maximal margin of error at this sample of ±3.1% (95% confidence level). For context around accuracy, this is the same polling company that has been used by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and The University of Sydney.
The results were extremely encouraging.
- 67% agreed that ‘People experiencing terminal illness should have the choice to use psychedelic-assisted therapy to ease end of life distress’,
- 63% agreed that ‘People experiencing mental illness should have the choice to access psychedelic-assisted therapy in medically controlled environments’, and ‘Psychedelic-assisted therapy should be an alternative option for people experiencing mental illness who have not had success with other treatments’
- 61% agreed that ‘We should make it easier for researchers to conduct more clinical trials to test the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating mental illness
- 60% agreed that ‘The difference between medical and recreational use of psychedelic substances should be legislatively recognised’.
However, the poll did illustrate that awareness of psychedelic-assisted therapy and what it involves is low with only 11% claiming to have heard of it and knows what it involves, while around one in five (19%) have heard of it but don’t know what it involves. A lot of work is still required to familiarise the population about these breakthrough therapies.
Nonetheless, Tania de Jong AM says, “Australians are ready and support change. It’s time for the politicians, political parties and Federal, State and Territory Governments to follow suit and act with urgency to avoid further avoidable suffering and suicide.”
