Perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy among Black Americans

Abstract

The present study investigated differences in perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy between Black and White Americans, as well as factors that may influence these perceptions. A final sample of 294 adults (42% female, 44% Black/African American or Mixed Race (of Black/African ancestry), 56% White American; Mage = 36.3 years) completed an online survey which assessed baseline knowledge and views of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Participants were then provided brief psychoeducation related to MDMA and psilocybin-assisted therapy. After psychoeducation, participants were queried on their perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy and factors potentially influencing these perceptions, including trauma history, current depressive and PTSD symptoms, perceived stress, and perceived barriers to psychological treatments. Psychoeducation had a positive impact on both level of interest and positivity of views of psychedelic-assisted therapy across groups. Black American participants reported more positive views of psychedelic-assisted therapy than White participants following psychoeducation. Greater depression and PTSD symptom severity was associated with greater baseline interest in Black and White Americans and there was significant interactions in predicting baseline view and interest, such that Black participants who reported greater depression symptom severity were more interested and had more positive views of PAT. Despite historical exclusion from psychedelic clinical trials and experiences of unethical treatment in research, Black Americans demonstrate more positive views of psychedelic therapy, and Black Americans more in need of novel mental health care demonstrate more interest and more positive views. Our findings demonstrate that the onus for diversification of psychedelic research samples is on research groups. These findings also provide an impetus for the psychedelic research community to rebuild trust in psychedelic research among Black Americans, conduct outreach, and provide culturally attuned psychedelic-assisted interventions that are accessible to Black Americans.