Acute and Enduring Effects of Naturalistic Psychedelic Use Among Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the United States

Experiences of past and present oppression/discrimination towards Turtle Island's Indigenous peoples are pervasive, contributing to symptoms of stress and trauma. Psychedelic substances have been shown to be effective for treating multiple disorders; however, there is a lack of research within Indigenous groups. This study examined the effects of naturalistic psychedelic use on recalled psychological distress and trauma symptoms among Indigenous peoples living in the United States and Canada who had experienced racial trauma. Participants were asked to recall a memorable psychedelic experience and report experiences of past racial trauma and retrospective changes in mental health symptoms within a cross-sectional internet-based survey focusing on people of colour in North America. Sixty-six participants (74.3% residents of Canada, 60.6% female, mean age of 35.9 years) self-identified as Indigenous. Participants mostly reported oral intake of psilocybin, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or lysergic acid diethylamide, and reported frequent experiences of ethnic discrimination and high levels of related stress. Participants recalled experiencing fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, symptoms of discrimination, and alcohol use in the 30 days after (vs. before) the psychedelic experience. Greater overall changes were recalled following psilocybin consumption, whereas differential effects were found based on Tribal land, reservation, or reserve residency and participant sex. Exploratory analyses suggested that measures of ethnic discrimination, residency, substance consumed, and sex were related to recalled changes in symptoms. As the healing powers of psychedelic medicines gain in mainstream popularity, one must consider the historical contexts, implications, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples. Several reflection questions are recommended to aid psychedelic stakeholders in conducting their work in an allied manner. Public Significance Statement The present study found that naturalistic psychedelic substance consumption led to recalled improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, trauma symptoms of discrimination, and alcohol use, in the 30 days after (vs. before) the psychedelic experience in Indigenous people who had experienced racial trauma. In particular, psilocybin led to the greatest recalled improvements, whereas differential effects were observed based on Tribal lands, reservations, or reserves residency and participant sex. Considering the underrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in psychedelic studies, this work provides historical contexts and makes recommendations for future psychedelic researchers.