An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the use of psilocybin by veterans with symptoms of trauma
FL Smith, JC Neill, V Wainwright
Drug Science, Policy and Law 2022 DOI: 10.1177/20503245221124117 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 7 |
| Population | Veterans with current or historic trauma symptoms who had used or considered using psilocybin |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Interpretative phenomenological analysis Psychotherapist Clinical psychology Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Veterans who used psilocybin reported immediate and long-term improvements in trauma symptoms, suggesting it may be a viable treatment option for some. |
Abstract
Veterans are at increased risk of experiencing symptoms of trauma. Although many benefit from available treatments, some find treatment inaccessible or ineffective and explore alternative substances. One such substance is psilocybin. This Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis study aimed to provide an initial insight into the experiences of veterans who have used or have considered using psilocybin and their perspectives regarding the acceptability of it as a treatment for their self-reported symptoms of trauma. Seven veterans with current or historic trauma symptoms were interviewed. All participants had either used or considered using psilocybin to alleviate their symptoms. All participants reported perceiving barriers when accessing treatment with many considering psilocybin out of desperation. All participants who had used psilocybin reported immediate and long-term improvements in their symptomatology. The study suggests that some perceive current treatments as ineffective and/or inaccessible, leading to the consideration of alternatives, such as psilocybin. The immediate and long-term symptom reductions reported suggest it may be a viable treatment option for symptoms of trauma for some. However, further research and clinical trials are required to form conclusions on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for this group.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Patients with treatment-resistant depression enrolled in an open-label trial of psilocybin | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 20 |
| Patient Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Adults aged 22 to 69 with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 13 |
| Psychedelic therapy for smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis of participant accounts Participants who completed a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation pilot study | 2018 | Qualitative follow-up study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis | n = 12 |
| Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and LSD Cluster headache patients who used psilocybin or LSD | 2006 | Qualitative study | n = 53 |
| Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress Adult participants with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis | 2017 | Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis | n = 13 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Psilocybin facilitates fear extinction in mice by promoting hippocampal neuroplasticity. Chinese medical journal December 20, 2023
- Experiences of psilocybin treatment for clinical conditions: A qualitative meta‐synthesis International Journal of Mental Health Nursing February 13, 2023
- How Psychedelics Modulate Multiple Memory Mechanisms in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Drugs November 1, 2024
- The phenomenology of psilocybin: transformative insights for research and clinical practice Frontiers in Psychology April 25, 2025
- Exploring the Potential Utility of Psychedelic Therapy for Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Journal of Palliative Medicine October 1, 2023
and 1 more in the library
Cites 22
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Psychopharmacology November 8, 2017
- MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine June 1, 2021
and 17 more in the library