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College

College of Art and Sciences

Major

Psychology & English Lit

Faculty Mentor

Matthew Sorg

Faculty Editor

Michael Spinetta

Student Editor

Erika Morris

Abstract

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a recently developed method for treating mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research into the effectiveness of psychedelics in treating mental health has largely excluded Black Peoples, Indigenous Peoples, and People(s) of Color (BIPOC); this is problematic, as rates of these mental health disorders are proportionally higher in BIPOC individuals than in white individuals. Mental health issues experienced by BIPOC are, more often than not, rooted in experiences of racial discrimination (Schouler-Ocak et al., 2021). Experiences of racial discrimination can develop into racial trauma, manifesting as depression, anxiety, and/or PTSD. This literature review synthesizes current research into the use of psychedelics in treating racial trauma. This research has demonstrated that both naturalistic and therapeutic use mitigate the effects of racial trauma. However, much of this research has been either survey-based or case studies focused on specific individuals, which makes their results unreliable or non-generalizable, underscoring the importance of funding research in controlled settings with larger participant groups. To conduct more reliable research, it is necessary to create therapeutic spaces that consider the diverse cultural beliefs and comfort needs of marginalized communities.

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