Self-administered complementary and alternative methods of treating mental disorders among students in Wrocław: a cross-sectional study

Jakub Sobieraj¹Jakub Śleziak¹Michał Szyszka¹Marta Błażejewska¹Kamila Łukańko¹Pola Soczomska¹Patryk Piotrowski^2*

• ¹Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland, Wroclaw, Poland
• ²Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland

Introduction: Mental health disorders, particularly depression, are increasingly prevalent among university students. Many turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as self-administered therapy, either alongside or instead of professional care. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 493 students in Wrocław. The questionnaire included demographic data, mental health history, satisfaction with psychiatric or psychological services, and attitudes toward various CAM methods—both non-pharmacological (e.g., exercise, meditation, yoga) and pharmacological (e.g., herbs, supplements, psychedelics, fly agaric, marijuana). Depressive symptoms were assessed using questions modeled on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-10). Results: 46.5% of respondents reported a history of mental disorders, with depression being most common (74.7%). While 45.3% had consulted a psychiatrist and 44.8% used antidepressants, 96.1% reported using CAM. The most popular methods included physical exercise (81.4%), meditation (60.5%), and yoga (39.1%). Frequently used substances were Melissa officinalis (53.0%), Withania somnifera (24.8%), marijuana (31.3%), vitamins (22.5%), and psychedelics (10.4%). Barriers to professional care included cost (80.7%), limited availability (35.7%), and fear of stigma (30.7%). Acceptance of conventional therapies ranged from 81.2% for psychotherapy and 75.9% for psychiatric medication to just 16.2% for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Students who accessed professional care were more likely to use marijuana, vitamins, and probiotics. Notably, users of marijuana, ashwagandha, and St. John’s wort exhibited more severe depressive symptoms. Marijuana use was especially common among yoga practitioners and students with ADHD. Use of psychedelics, marijuana, and meditation correlated with greater openness to novel therapies like ketamine and psilocybin; yoga practice was specifically linked to ketamine acceptance. Conclusion: CAM use is widespread among students, likely driven by barriers to professional care. However, some CAM practices may exacerbate symptoms or lead to substance use disorders. Public health initiatives should focus on educating students about CAM and conventional treatments, developing clinical guidelines for managing CAM users, and improving access to mental health services. Further research is needed to explore these trends in other populations and to evaluate the risks and benefits of specific CAM approaches.