Qualitative Analysis of Views of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Low-Income, Urban, Black Americans.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – June 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Many Black Americans show increasing openness to psychedelic-assisted therapy, despite historical healthcare mistrust. A qualitative investigation explored perceptions of psychedelics for therapy among low-income, urban Black Americans via focus groups. Findings revealed informed hesitation mixed with growing acceptance, emphasizing the need for trust, autonomy, and practical solutions like childcare and transport. Centering the needs of Black Americans and promoting diversity in therapy is crucial for improving access and quality of care.
Abstract
Black Americans are significantly underrepresented in psychedelic trials despite significant mental health disparities. Growing research suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. It is important to understand perceptions of PAT among populations with unmet mental health needs. We conducted four focus groups to understand perceptions of psychedelic therapy within a low-income, Black, urban population. Three main themes were identified using an inductive thematic analysis approach: (1) informed hesitation mixed with increasing openness; (2) trust, autonomy, and choice; and (3) practical solutions to increase accessibility. Participants described many concerns related to legacies of racism in healthcare, research, drug prescription, and criminalization. Healthcare systems must invest in trust building with Black Americans to adequately meet healthcare needs. Participants emphasized ways of building trust through supporting autonomy and choice, investing in community building and agency, and suggestions to address barriers (e.g., providing childcare, providing transportation). These findings support calls to center the needs of Black American people given the lack of culturally salient therapeutic paradigms specifically for Black Americans utilized within PAT, improve access and address barriers to healthcare for Black Americans, and increase the quality of care available.