Exploring the relationship between personality traits, attitudes toward psilocybin use, and motivations for using psilocybin
Date
2025
Authors
Mifsud, Molly
Robinson, Jill
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University Of Victoria
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin use is gaining popularity in research alongside evolving legal perspectives and liberal attitudes toward substance use. Despite this, little research has examined the individual factors driving psilocybin use. This study investigates how personality traits influence psilocybin use.
Methods: Data were collected from 491 university students in 2023, including 134 self-reported psilocybin users. Logistic and linear regressions analyzed the relationship between personality traits, psilocybin use, frequency of use, and age of first use.
Results: Conscientiousness was negatively associated with psilocybin use (p = .024) and Openness positively associated with use (p = .016). Females were less likely to use psilocybin (p = .002). Conscientiousness (p = .003), Neuroticism (p =.019) and Extraversion (p = .038) predicted lower frequency of use. Other traits did not significantly predict psilocybin behaviours.
Conclusion: Conscientiousness appears to be a robust predictor of psilocybin use, associated with lower likelihood and frequency. Openness increased the likelihood of use but did not predict frequency or age.
Impact: These suggest that personality-driven strategies may help address psilocybin use patterns, particularly focusing on conscientious individuals who may be less prone to early use.
Description
Keywords
psilocybin, substance use, personality, attitudes, motives, big five