Investigating the associations of acute psychedelic experiences and changes in racial trauma symptoms, psychological flexibility, and substance use among People with Racial and Ethnic Minoritized Identities in the United States and Canada.
Journal of substance use and addiction treatment June 1, 2023 Angela M Haeny, Joel A Lopez, Pamela A Colón Grigas et al. 10 citations
Among 211 racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) adults in the US and Canada, retrospective reports indicated that after their most memorable psychedelic experience, alcohol use and drug use were perceived to have decreased. The reduction in alcohol use was greater for Indigenous participants, those who took a high dose, those with a stronger ethnic identity, and those who reported fewer depressive symptoms. Perceived increases in psychological flexibility and reductions in racial trauma symptoms appeared to mediate the link between acute psychedelic effects and reduced substance use. The authors suggest psychedelic experiences may help REM people reduce alcohol and drug use by increasing psychological flexibility and easing racial trauma, but call for longitudinal replication.