Depressive DisordersPTSDAnxiety DisordersEquity and Ethics

Increases in Psychological Flexibility Mediate Relationship Between Acute Psychedelic Effects and Decreases in Racial Trauma Symptoms Among People of Color

In a cross-sectional survey of 313 BIPOC, greater acute psychedelic insight and challenging experiences were associated with reductions in racial trauma symptoms, and increases in psychological flexibility partially mediated these relationships. The authors suggest psychedelics may reduce racial trauma among people of colour via enhanced psychological flexibility and recommend longitudinal clinical trials to test causality.

Authors

  • Albert Garcia-Romeu
  • Alan Davis
  • Nathan Sepeda

Published

Chronic Stress
individual Study

Abstract

Background

Previous research showed acute psychedelic effects were associated with decreases in racial trauma (RT) symptoms among black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Among samples comprised primarily of white participants, positive outcomes of psychedelic experiences have been mediated by increases in psychological flexibility. Therefore, we examined whether changes in psychological flexibility from before to after a psychedelic experience mediated the relationship between acute psychedelic effects and changes in RT symptoms among BIPOC.

Methods

This cross-sectional online survey study included 313 BIPOC (mean age = 33.1; SD = 11.2; female = 57%). A multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between acute psychedelic effects and decreases in RT symptoms in a nonclinical setting; a path analysis was used to explore whether changes in psychological flexibility mediated this relationship.

Results

Acute insight and challenging effects were significantly ( p < .001) associated with decreases in RT symptoms following a psychedelic experience. Increases in psychological flexibility partially mediated relationships between greater intensity of psychological insight and less intensity of challenging experiences and decreases in RT symptoms ( ps<.001).

Conclusion

This research suggests psychedelics confer potential benefits in decreasing RT symptoms among BIPOC and psychological flexibility may be an important mediator of these effects. Future research should test this hypothesis in a longitudinal clinical trial among BIPOC.

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Research Summary of 'Increases in Psychological Flexibility Mediate Relationship Between Acute Psychedelic Effects and Decreases in Racial Trauma Symptoms Among People of Color'

Introduction

The paper frames racial trauma as a prevalent but under-researched form of trauma experienced by people of colour (POC), characterised by repeated or acute race-based threats that can contribute to PTSD symptoms and broader mental-health burden. The authors note that existing evidence-based PTSD treatments have limited inclusion of POC and that treatment dropout is high in these groups, highlighting a gap in culturally inclusive interventions. Parallel literatures on psychedelic compounds (for example psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA) indicate they can reduce depression and anxiety and that the intensity of acute subjective effects (mystical-type, insight, challenging) often predicts therapeutic benefit; however, clinical psychedelic trials have largely lacked racial and ethnic diversity. Davis and colleagues therefore set out to test whether changes in psychological flexibility mediate the relationship between acute psychedelic effects and reductions in racial trauma symptoms among Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC). Drawing on prior survey and prospective work—largely in predominantly White samples—that linked acute mystical/insight experiences to improved outcomes via increases in psychological flexibility, the study hypothesised that (H1) acute mystical-type, challenging and insight effects would be associated with changes in racial trauma symptoms, (H2) acute effects would be directly related to changes in psychological flexibility, (H3) changes in psychological flexibility would be directly related to changes in racial trauma symptoms, and (H4) psychological flexibility would mediate the relationships between acute effects and trauma symptom change.

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Study Details

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Increases in Psychological Flexibility Mediate... — Research Summary & Context | Blossom