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.

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Evidence suggests that psychedelics may serve as a therapeutic approach to reduce substance use; however, people with racial and ethnic minoritized (REM) identities are often excluded from this research. We investigated whether psychedelic use affects other substance use among REM people and whether perceived changes in psychological flexibility and racial trauma mediates this association. REM people in the United States and Canada (N = 211; 32 % Black, 29 % Asian, 18 % American Indian/Indigenous Canadian, 21 % Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; 57 % female; mean age = 33.1, SD = 11.2) completed an online survey retrospectively reporting their substance use, psychological flexibility, and racial trauma symptoms 30 days before and after their most memorable psychedelic experience. Analyses showed a significant perceived reduction in alcohol (p < .0001, d = 0.54) and drug use (p = .0001, d = 0.23) from before to after the psychedelic experience. Preliminary associations found perceived reductions in racial trauma symptoms were associated with perceived reductions in alcohol use and this association varied by race, dose, ethnic identity, and change in depressive symptoms. Specifically, Indigenous participants experienced greater perceived reductions in alcohol use relative to participants who identified as Asian, Black, or other. Those who took a high dose of psychedelics experienced greater perceived reductions in alcohol use relative to those who took a low dose. Participants with a stronger ethnic identity and those with a perceived reduction in depressive symptoms experienced a perceived reduction in alcohol use. Serial mediation indicated a perceived increase in psychological flexibility and reduction in racial trauma symptoms mediated the association between acute psychedelic effects and perceived reductions in alcohol and drug use. These findings suggest that psychedelic experiences may contribute to an increase in psychological flexibility and reduction in racial trauma symptoms and alcohol and drug use among REM people. REM people have been largely excluded from psychedelic treatment research even though psychedelic use is considered a traditional healing practice in many communities of color. Longitudinal studies of REM people should replicate our findings.