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Indigenous Voices in Psychedelic Therapy: Experiential Learnings from a Community-Based Group Psychedelic Therapy Program

Emmy Manson, Erin Ryding, Wes Taylor, Gail Peekeekoot, Sara G. Gloeckler, Pearl Allard, Charsanaa Johnny, Kyle T. Greenway, Shannon Dames

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 18, 2023 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2258120 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 8
Population Indigenous participants and Elders from the Snuneymuxw First Nation
Intervention Ketamine
Dose psychedelic dose
Topics Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords Indigenous Thematic analysis Experiential learning Gratitude General partnership Qualitative research Medical education Nursing Psychotherapist Pedagogy Social science
Citations 13
Key findings Participants attributed significant benefits to the program, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous team members, traditional healing approaches, and authentic relationships.

Abstract

Novel and traditional psychedelic medicines are attracting interest as potential treatments of mental illness. Before psychedelic therapies can be made available in culturally safe and effective ways to diverse peoples, the field must grapple with the complex legacies of colonialism and ongoing clashes between biomedical and Indigenous Ways of Knowing. This article presents results of a pilot program offering group-based therapy augmented by three sessions of ketamine at a psychedelic dose, for a group of Indigenous participants. This unique project was undertaken in partnership between Roots to Thrive and the Snuneymuxw First Nation to assess this approach's effectiveness and safety for Indigenous peoples. Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews and anonymous feedback received throughout the program from eight participants and two Elders provided rich information on participant motivations, perceived barriers, appreciated and beneficial aspects of the program, and the psychedelic experiences, as well as important directions for further improvement. In addition to challenges, participants attributed significant benefits to the program while highlighting the importance of the involvement of Indigenous team members, the incorporation of traditional approaches to healing, and the cultivation of open and authentic relationships between group participants and facilitators. We discuss important lessons learned and the essential work of reconciliation in, and beyond, psychedelic therapies.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, 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
LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects Patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases 2014 Prospective follow-up with qualitative content analysis n = 10
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
The hidden therapist: evidence for a central role of music in psychedelic therapy Patients undergoing psychedelic therapy with psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression 2018 Qualitative study n = 19

Citations in the library

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Psychedelic-assisted therapy Ketamine