Racial Trauma Treatment

Psychedelics for Racial Stress and Trauma

Racism can produce depression, stress, low-self esteem, self-destructive behaviors, and trauma. New approaches are needed to help those suffering, and our lab is researching the use of psychedelic substances as one avenue for healing.

Current studies underway or being planned:

• Microdosing Psilocybin for Racial Stress and Trauma (Canada)
• MDMA for Racialized People with PTSD (US)
• MDMA for Refugees with PTSD (Canada)

Data collection completed:

• Naturalistic Survey Study of Psychedelics for Coping with Racial Trauma (Canada & US)
• Ketamine for Racial Trauma Case Study (US)

New Publications

Davis, A. K., Xin., Y., Sepeda, N. D., Garcia-Romeu, A., & Williams, M. T. (in press). Increases in psychological flexibility mediate the relationship between acute psychedelic effects and decreases in racial trauma symptoms among people of color. Chronic Stress. doi: 10.1177/24705470211035607

Williams, M. T., Reed, S., & George, J. (2020). Culture and psychedelic psychotherapy: Ethnic and racial themes from three Black women therapists. Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 4(3), 125-138. doi: 10.1556/2054.2020.00137

Vallely, A. (2020). Culture and psychedelic psychotherapy: Ethnic and racial themes from three black women therapists. Journal of Psychedelic Studies. doi: 10.1556/2054.2020.00139

Buchanan, N. T. (2020). Ensuring the psychedelic renaissance and radical healing reach the Black community: Commentary on Culture and Psychedelic Psychotherapy. Journal of Psychedelic Studies. doi: 10.1556/2054.2020.00145

Williams, M., Davis, A., Xin, Y., Sepeda, N., Colon-Grigas, P., Sinnott, S., & Haeny, A. (2021). People of color in North America report improvements in racial trauma and mental health symptoms following psychedelic experiences. Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, 28(3), 215-226. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2020.1854688

An Interview with Monnica Williams: Treating Race-Based Trauma with Psychedelics & Addressing Mental Health Disparities. Think Supersystemic

Psychedelics & Racial Trauma in the Media

Mocerino, M. (2020, August 24). Treating Racial Trauma with Dr. Monnica Williams. Chacruna Institute.

Flores, J. (2020, July 21). Psychedelic therapy to cure a racist mainstream with Monnica Williams, Ph.D. Ancestral Medicine for Modern Times.

Janikian, M. (2019, September 2). MDMA for Racial Trauma. Double Blind.

Luse, B. (2019, February 4). Blue Pill. The Nod. Gimlet Media.