Memory, trauma, and self: Remembering and recovering from sexual abuse in psychedelic-assisted therapy
Journal of Psychedelic Studies October 9, 2024 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2024.00363 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Two individuals with longstanding, treatment-resistant mental health conditions resulting from sexual abuse |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Duration | Weeklong |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Sexual abuse Psychotherapist Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin can facilitate retrieval of repressed traumatic memories, enabling conscious awareness and reconciliation, and prompting re-narration of identity and biography. |
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aims This article examines the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in addressing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as the result of sexual abuse. PTSD is a prevalent form of mental distress resistant to most conventional treatment methods.
Methods: Through an in-depth analysis of the narratives of two individuals with longstanding, treatment-resistant mental health conditions, who participated in a weeklong group-based psychedelic retreat involving psilocybin, the study unveils the intricate interplay between psychedelic-assisted therapy, memory, and narrative in the healing process.
Results: The research findings suggest that beyond the commonly acknowledged therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs, psilocybin can facilitate the retrieval of repressed or forgotten traumatic memories, allowing for conscious awareness, recognition, and reconciliation. A noteworthy aspect of the healing progression observed is the re-narration of one's identity and biographical circumstances following the recovery of unresolved traumatic memories.
Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of memory and self-narrative in the therapeutic landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy for trauma. The article concludes by advocating for continued exploration in future research regarding the complex dynamics of memory and self-narrative in the healing journey within psychedelic science and trauma studies.