Using Psychedelics With Therapeutic Intent Is Associated With Lower Shame and Complex Trauma Symptoms in Adults With Histories of Child Maltreatment
Chronic Stress July 11, 2021 C. Healy, K. A. Lee, Wendy D’andrea 39 citations
Child maltreatment is linked to higher posttraumatic stress symptoms and internalized shame, especially when emotional abuse or neglect is involved. People who used psychedelics intentionally for therapy reported fewer complex trauma symptoms and less internalized shame, even when their maltreatment histories were similar. Those with more than five such psychedelic sessions showed the largest differences in trauma symptoms and shame. Psychedelic use also weakened the link between emotional maltreatment and trauma symptoms. No connection was found between maltreatment or psychedelic use and facial emotion recognition.