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Perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy among Black Americans.

Sierra Carter, Grace Packard, Callan Coghlan, Jamilah R. George, Ashanti J Brown, Terence H. W. Ching, Jacob Julian, Jessica L Maples-Keller

Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders December 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjmad.2023.100023 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed
Sample size 294
Population Black and White American adults
Intervention psychoeducation related to MDMA and psilocybin-assisted therapy
Topics Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD
Keywords Black americans Perceived barriers
Citations 18
Key findings Black Americans reported more positive views of psychedelic-assisted therapy than White Americans after psychoeducation, and those with greater depression severity showed even higher interest and positivity.

Abstract

The present study investigated differences in perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy between Black and White Americans, as well as factors that may influence these perceptions. A final sample of 294 adults (42% female, 44% Black/African American or Mixed Race (of Black/African ancestry), 56% White American; Mage = 36.3 years) completed an online survey which assessed baseline knowledge and views of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Participants were then provided brief psychoeducation related to MDMA and psilocybin-assisted therapy. After psychoeducation, participants were queried on their perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy and factors potentially influencing these perceptions, including trauma history, current depressive and PTSD symptoms, perceived stress, and perceived barriers to psychological treatments. Psychoeducation had a positive impact on both level of interest and positivity of views of psychedelic-assisted therapy across groups. Black American participants reported more positive views of psychedelic-assisted therapy than White participants following psychoeducation. Greater depression and PTSD symptom severity was associated with greater baseline interest in Black and White Americans and there was significant interactions in predicting baseline view and interest, such that Black participants who reported greater depression symptom severity were more interested and had more positive views of PAT. Despite historical exclusion from psychedelic clinical trials and experiences of unethical treatment in research, Black Americans demonstrate more positive views of psychedelic therapy, and Black Americans more in need of novel mental health care demonstrate more interest and more positive views. Our findings demonstrate that the onus for diversification of psychedelic research samples is on research groups. These findings also provide an impetus for the psychedelic research community to rebuild trust in psychedelic research among Black Americans, conduct outreach, and provide culturally attuned psychedelic-assisted interventions that are accessible to Black Americans.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic 2020 Cross-sectional survey n = 985
Psychedelic Treatment for Trauma-Related Psychological and Cognitive Impairment Among US Special Operations Forces Veterans U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans who completed a psychedelic clinical program in... 2020 Survey n = 51
Population Survey Data Informing the Therapeutic Potential of Classic and Novel Phenethylamine, Tryptamine, and Lysergamide Psychedelics Respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008–2017, weighted to... 2020 Cross-sectional survey n = 260,964,827
Examination of the Phenomenology of the Ibogaine Treatment Experience: Role of Altered States of Consciousness and Psychedelic Experiences. Individuals who used ibogaine in the past 2017 Retrospective survey n = 27
American Psychiatrists' Opinions About Classic Hallucinogens and Their Potential Therapeutic Applications: A 7-Year Follow-Up Survey. American Psychiatric Association members (resident-fellows and attending psychiatrists) 2024 Survey n = 131

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Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD Depression MDMA Psilocybin