Psychedelic Therapies at the Crossroads of Trauma and Substance Use: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions, Taking a Lead From New Mexico
Frontiers in Pharmacology June 27, 2022 Snehal Bhatt, Maya Armstrong, Tassy Parker et al. 4 citations
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUDs) frequently co-occur, a link shaped by adverse childhood experiences, historical and multi-generational traumas, and social, cultural, and spiritual factors. Current treatments for PTSD are only modestly effective, and more research is needed on interventions for co-occurring PTSD and SUD, including whether to treat them together or sequentially. Interest in psychedelics as a treatment augmentation is reviving, though risks remain. This review covers the history of psychedelic research and practices, examining historical trauma, adverse childhood experiences, PTSD, and SUDs through the lens of New Mexico, a state with large Indigenous and Hispanic populations and high rates of trauma and substance use. Future directions include community-based participatory approaches respectful of Indigenous and minority communities.