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

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.

Acute and enduring effects of naturalistic psychedelic use among Indigenous peoples in Canada and the United States.

“…All prior findings related to recalled decreases in racial trauma symptoms, alcohol use, depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as a significant recalled increase in psychological flexibility (AAQ) were replicated in this subsample (Davis, Xin, et al, 2021; Williams, Davis, et al, 2021; see ), despite a slight discrepancy in the participant sample.…”

“…In particular, the measure of ethnic identity was an abbreviated version of the MEIM (6 items), which may not have adequately captured the complexity and diversity of identities in the present sample. Additionally, as this sample was drawn from a larger pool of respondents (i.e., individuals having consumed all types of psychedelic substances), direct comparisons with the previously published findings in Williams, Davis, et al (2021) and Davis, Xin, et al (2021) cannot be made. We recommend that future surveys of this nature should include items capturing psychedelics used ceremoniously, comfort in disclosing ceremonial experiences, hesitancy in psychedelic research involvement due to past unethical practices, and/or information on use with members of one’s community.…”

“…Recently, psychedelic substances have been examined for their therapeutic potential for alleviating symptoms of racial trauma in people of colour. Recent work has shown that commonly used psychedelics (lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA], psilocybin) contributed significantly to ameliorate symptoms of racial trauma, depression, anxiety, and stress (Williams, Davis, et al, 2021) and increased psychological flexibility (Davis, Xin, et al, 2021) in a large ( N = 313), cross-sectional sample of people of colour in North America. Significant relationships were also observed between the dimension of acute psychedelic effects (mystical type, insight, and challenging experiences) and decreases in psychopathology while controlling for the frequency of prior discrimination (Williams, Davis, et al, 2021).…”

Antidepressant effects of a psychedelic experience in a large prospective naturalistic sample

“…An important principle of a context-dependent or relational approach to psychedelics is that the psychedelic experience itself is an important mediator of subsequent therapeutic outcomes – and there is much evidence to support this (Carbonaro et al, 2016; Carhart-Harris et al, 2016b; Davis et al, 2019, 2020, 2021b; Garcia-Romeu et al, 2015; Gasser et al, 2015; Griffiths et al, 2016, 2018; MacLean et al, 2011; Passie, 1997; Roseman et al, 2018; Ross et al, 2016; Schmid and Liechti, 2017). Specifically, a number of studies have found that ‘peak’ or ‘mystical’ – type experiences, which feature feelings of unity, transcendence of time, space and self, and positive mood, are predictive of subsequent positive therapeutic outcomes (Bogenschutz et al, 2015; Davis et al, 2019; Garcia-Romeu et al, 2015; Griffiths et al, 2016; Murphy et al, 2022; Pahnke, 1963; Roseman et al, 2018; Ross et al, 2016).…”

“…Another salient dimension of the psychedelic experiences is the challenging experience (CE), which includes feelings of paranoia, anxiety, insanity and grief (Johnson et al, 2008). High ratings for CE have been associated with both worsened (Barrett et al, 2016; Carbonaro et al, 2016; Haijen et al, 2018; Roseman et al, 2018) and improved long-term mental health outcomes (Carbonaro et al, 2016; Davis et al, 2021b). These contradictory findings are likely explainable by whether a period of psychological challenge results in a psychological insightful therapeutic breakthrough or not (Barrett et al, 2016; Carbonaro et al, 2016; Davis et al, 2020; Roseman et al, 2018; Watts et al, 2017).…”