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-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (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.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD Related to Racial Discrimination

“…Additionally, Black communities are disproportionately arrested and incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses which could further lead to apprehension toward therapeutically consuming substances deemed illicit. Nonetheless, there is some preliminary evidence that psychedelics can reduce symptoms of racial trauma, based on survey data in naturalistic settings (Williams et al, 2020a). Because Robyn had tried behaviorallybased interventions before with only limited or temporary success, adding a psychedelic to help potentiate treatment seemed like an important next step.…”

Whitewashing psychedelics: racial equity in the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted mental health research and treatment

“…In the current issue, Williams et al (2020) conducted a crosssectional online survey of 313 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in North America, which suggests that naturalistic use of classic psychedelics or MDMA is associated with significant reductions in traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms related to experiences of racism. While this observational study has some limitations, including reliance on participant self-report and recall, and questions of sample representativeness due to self-selection of participants, the study's findings are noteworthy because they are the first to our knowledge to focus exclusively on psychedelic use outcomes in addressing racial trauma in a racial-ethnically diverse study sample.…”

“…Data on hallucinogen use (not including MDMA) in the US indicate greatest prevalence of lifetime and past-year use among Native American and white respondents, with lower prevalence among Hispanic, Black, and Asian individuals (Shalit et al, 2019). The disparities in substance use patterns and clinical trial enrollment, coupled with Williams et al (2020) findings on psychedelics' impact on race-based trauma, raise important questions regarding the sociocultural status of psychedelics, systemic reasons for the underrepresentation of BIPOC in this research, and the potential role of psychedelicassisted treatments in ameliorating mental health disparities among diverse populations.…”

“…The timeliness of Williams et al (2020) findings cannot be overstated in the current backdrop of racial and political unrest in the U.S. Movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM) have gained considerable momentum in calling attention to systemic racism and police violence against Black and other communities of color, and widespread race-based inequalities (Jee-Lyn Garc ıa & Sharif, 2015).…”

“…Finally, with decriminalization initiatives around psychedelics gathering momentum (Feuer, 2020), it will be important not to create further disparities by deeming some psychoactive substances primarily used in white communities worthy of decriminalization, while keeping others illegal. Williams et al (2020) have made an important contribution to the literature on the use of psychedelics and questions of racial equity. Findings suggest that the use of psychedelics has the potential to reduce symptoms of mental distress experienced due to racism.…”