Abstract
Promising new research surrounding psilocybin’s efficacy as a treatment for mental health disorders has led to a wave of new legislation permitting its usage in medical settings. However, due to the novelty of the field, there is a lack of established communication guidelines when distributing resources and information about this treatment. Psilocybin is in a unique position as an emerging treatment, due to its past (and present) illicit status and associated historical communications. Older adults, who have been surrounded by antidrug communications throughout their lifetime, may hold more stigmatised attitudes towards this treatment than younger demographics. Recent over-enthusiasm and ‘hype’ around therapeutic psilocybin, facilitated by media and clinical communications, may be further alienating these older audiences. The present thesis aims to develop a set of guidelines for therapeutic psilocybin communication, geared towards this patient profile. By developing communication strategies which consider an older adults’ values and existing perceptions of psilocybin, the treatment is more likely to benefit this age range once it becomes fully integrated into the medical system.