3 Strategies For Increasing Diversity In Psychedelic Research

Psychological distress is more prevalent among individuals of color than in non-Hispanic Whites, elevating the likelihood of adverse mental health outcomes. The predominant treatment approach for mental health conditions, such as substance use disorder, clinical depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety, involves medication. Unfortunately, treatment resistance affects up to 60% of patients, with others often experiencing severe side effects from medications.

A promising alternative is psychedelic therapy, which has demonstrated the ability to reduce or eliminate symptoms of mental health disorders when administered with proper support. However, current psychedelic research inadequately represents minority groups, despite their potential significant benefits.

To ensure equitable access to effective psychedelic therapies for people of color, deliberate efforts must be made to enhance racial and ethnic diversity in psychedelic research. It is crucial to emphasize that inclusivity should extend beyond people of color to encompass all minority groups. In this blog, we propose three specific strategies for promoting racial and ethnic diversity in psychedelic research.