Acute subjective effects of psychedelics in naturalistic group settings prospectively predict longitudinal improvements in trauma symptoms, trait shame, and connectedness among adults with childhood maltreatment histories.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry April 2, 2025 C J Healy, Aaron Frazier, Stephen Kirsch et al. 6 citations
Adults with histories of childhood maltreatment who used psychedelic drugs with therapeutic intent at ceremonies or raves showed significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, complex PTSD symptoms, trait shame, social connectedness, and general connectedness from before the experience to two months afterward. The size of these improvements was large. Changes in these outcomes were linked to specific aspects of the acute psychedelic experience, such as subjective effects. The findings suggest that the social and psychological context of group psychedelic use may contribute to lasting mental health benefits for this population.