People of color in North America report improvements in racial trauma and mental health symptoms following psychedelic experiences

Abstract

This study examined how psychedelics reduced symptoms of racial trauma among black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) subsequent to an experience of racism. A cross-sectional internet-based survey included questions about experiences with racism, mental health symptoms, and acute and enduring psychedelic effects. Changes in mental health were assessed by retrospective report of symptoms in the 30 days before and 30 days after an experience with psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or 3,4-Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine (MDMA). We recruited 313 diverse BIPOC in the US and Canada. Results revealed a significant (p < .001) and moderate (d = −.45) reduction in traumatic stress symptoms from before-to-after the psychedelic experience. Similarly, participants reported decreases in depression (p < .001; d = −.52), anxiety (p < .001; d = −.53), and stress (p < .001; d = −.32). There was also a significant relationship (R_c = 0.52, p < .001) between the dimension of acute psychedelic effects (mystical-type, insight, and challenging experiences) and decreases in a cluster of subsequent psychopathology (traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and stress), while controlling for the frequency of prior discrimination and the time since the psychedelic experience. BIPOC have been underrepresented in psychedelic studies. Psychedelics may decrease the negative impact of racial trauma. Future studies should examine the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy for individuals with a history of race-based trauma.

Keywords:

• Psychedelics
• racial trauma
• ethnic minorities
• people of color
• hallucinogens
• substance use

Disclosure statement

Drs. Williams and Davis are board members of Source Research Foundation. This organization was not involved in the design/execution of this study or the interpretation or communication of findings.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for the study was provided by the University of Ottawa and the Canada Research Chairs Program (MTW). Effort for AKD was provided from support from Tim Ferriss, Matt Mullenweg, Craig Nerenberg, Blake Mycoskie, and the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation. This work is also supported by the National Institutes of Health grants T32DA019426, R25DA035163, and UL1TR001863. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.