The Need for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Black Community and the Burdens of Its Provision
Frontiers in Psychiatry January 20, 2022 Darron T. Smith, Sonya C. Faber, NiCole T. Buchanan et al. 69 citations
Psychedelic medicine is an emerging field that uses substances like MDMA to produce non-ordinary states of consciousness. MDMA is in phase-3 FDA trials for treating PTSD and was designated a breakthrough therapy in 2017 due to its safety and efficacy when combined with manualized therapy. Historical and contemporary racial mistreatment triggers physiological stress responses in Black people, similar to those in anxiety disorders. The paper explores how entheogens in psychedelic-assisted therapy could address negative race-based experiences and promote healing among BIPOC. It also discusses the ethical need for culturally competent providers and for recruiting BIPOC into research and training.