- A study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that psilocybin’s mental health benefits vary by race.
- Both White participants and People of Color reported lower depression and anxiety after psilocybin use, but long-term effects differed.
- White participants experienced lasting improvements in mental flexibility and spiritual wellbeing, while People of Color showed a faster decline.
- Structural inequalities, set and setting, and historical stigma may contribute to racial disparities in psilocybin’s long-term impact.
- Researchers stress the need for diverse clinical trials and culturally informed therapeutic approaches in psychedelic medicine.
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, is at the center of a psychedelic research renaissance for its potential to improve mental wellbeing. However, a recent study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders suggests that its effects vary significantly based on racial background. While both White participants and People of Color reported mental health benefits after psilocybin use, key differences emerged in the longevity and quality of these effects. This article explores the study’s findings, shedding light on the role of racial disparities in psychedelic research and therapy.
What is Psilocybin and How Does It Affect Mental Wellbeing?
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic that influences mood, perception, and cognition. When ingested, it converts into psilocin, which stimulates serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered states of consciousness and emotional insights. In controlled settings, psilocybin has shown significant therapeutic potential, particularly for conditions like
- Depression: Studies indicate that psilocybin can rapidly decrease depressive symptoms, with effects lasting weeks or even months after a single dose.
- Anxiety Disorders: It has been explored as a treatment for generalized anxiety and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Some studies suggest that psilocybin helps individuals process past trauma more effectively.
Psilocybin’s ability to promote neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural connections—is believed to underlie many of its mental health benefits. But could these effects be influenced by racial backgrounds and lived experiences?
Why Race Matters in Psychedelic Research
Historically, most clinical psychedelic research has focused on White participants. This lack of diversity leaves key questions unanswered about whether these treatments work the same way across different racial and ethnic groups.
Factors that could influence psilocybin’s effects include
- Cultural Attitudes Toward Psychedelics: Communities of Color may have different historical and cultural relationships with psychedelic substances, impacting their perceptions and experiences.
- Systemic Mental Health Disparities: Racial minorities often face disproportionate levels of stress, trauma, and barriers to mental healthcare. These factors might shape how psilocybin interacts with their psychological state.
- Set and Setting: The mindset of the user ("set") and the surrounding environment ("setting") play a crucial role in psychedelic experiences. For People of Color, societal and personal stressors may influence their outcomes differently.
About the Study: Methods and Participants
The study, conducted through a longitudinal online survey, followed individuals before and after their psilocybin experience. Key aspects included
- Participant Pool: Over 8,000 participants initially consented, with 650 completing follow-ups up to three months post-experience.
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Data Collection: Individuals self-reported on changes in:
- Mental health (depression & anxiety)
- Spiritual wellbeing
- Emotional flexibility and regulation
- Expressive suppression (difficulty in emotional expression)
By tracking differences across racial groups, the researchers sought to understand how psilocybin’s effects evolved over time.
Key Findings: How Psilocybin’s Effects Differ by Race
Shared Benefits
Regardless of racial background, participants showed significant initial reductions in depression and anxiety following psilocybin use. This supports prior research indicating psilocybin as a universal short-term mental health booster.
Diverging Long-Term Effects
While the initial improvements were shared, long-term effects told a different story
- Mental Flexibility: White participants experienced persistent growth in mental adaptability, whereas these benefits diminished over time for People of Color.
- Spiritual Wellbeing: Both groups reported a temporary increase, but this effect declined faster among People of Color.
- Emotional Expression: White participants exhibited reduced expressive suppression over time (becoming more open with emotions), an effect that was absent in People of Color.
These disparities highlight the need for greater exploration of how race-related factors influence psychedelic therapy outcomes.
Why Do These Differences Exist?
Several possible explanations for these disparities emerge
The Role of Sociocultural Stressors
Systemic racism and economic inequality create chronic stress for People of Color. Even if psilocybin temporarily enhances mental wellbeing, returning to an environment of racial discrimination may erode the benefits more quickly.
Set and Setting Matter—But Are Not Equal
The study found that People of Color tended to set more intentional goals before their psychedelic experiences. Despite this, their long-term benefits were weaker. This suggests that external societal and psychological pressures may counteract psilocybin’s positive effects.
The Legacy of Psychedelic Criminalization
Due to historical drug policies, People of Color face higher risks of legal consequences for using psychedelics. Even in places where psilocybin is being decriminalized, residual fears and legal stigma might create psychological constraints on their experiences.
Implications for Psychedelic Therapy
If mental wellbeing gains differ by race, psychedelic therapy models must adapt accordingly. Improving equity in psychedelic-assisted therapy may involve
- Diversifying Clinical Trials: Ensuring racial and ethnic representation in research to better understand unique effects.
- Culturally Competent Therapists: Training providers to address racial disparities and lived experiences during treatment.
- Policy Changes: Expanding efforts to decriminalize psychedelics while addressing racial biases in drug-related policies.
By embracing a more inclusive approach, the mental health community can maximize psilocybin’s potential for all individuals.
Limitations & Future Directions
Study Limitations:
- Self-Reported Data: Individuals may unintentionally misrepresent their experiences.
- Small Non-White Sample: Fewer Participants of Color means findings are important but require further validation.
- Lack of Controlled Variables: The study did not explore how external factors like socioeconomic status may interact with psilocybin’s effects.
Areas for Future Study:
- Long-Term Societal Impact: More research is needed to determine how daily lived experiences influence psilocybin’s longevity in different racial groups.
- Mechanisms of Disparity: Future studies could explore biological, cultural, and psychological explanations for these differences.
Conclusion: Toward Inclusive Psychedelic Research & Policy
Psilocybin holds promise as a mental health tool, but its long-term benefits appear to vary by race. Understanding and addressing these disparities will be essential as psychedelic-assisted therapy moves into the mainstream. By expanding research diversity, enhancing cultural competency in therapy, and addressing systemic inequities, we can work toward a more inclusive and effective model for psychedelic medicine.
Citations
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Jones, G., Lowe, M. X., Nayak, S., Sepeda, N., Kettner, H., Carhart-Harris, R., Jackson, H., & Garcia-Romeu, A. (2024). Examining differences in the effects and contexts of naturalistic psilocybin use for White participants vs. Participants of Color: A longitudinal online survey study. Journal of Affective Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.10.058
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George, J. R., Michaels, T. I., Sevelius, J., & Williams, M. T. (2020). The psychedelic renaissance and the limitations of a White-dominated research paradigm. Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 4(1), 4-15. https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2020.00137
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Williams, M. T., Reed, S., & Aggarwal, R. (2021). Culturally informed research design issues in psilocybin-assisted therapy. Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 5(1), 40-47. https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2021.00123
