The psychedelic renaissance and the limitations of a White-dominant medical framework: A call for indigenous and ethnic minority inclusion
Summary & key facts
This paper reviews the recent comeback of psychedelic research and points out that much of that work borrows from indigenous healing traditions. The authors say Indigenous people, ethnic and racial minorities, women, and other marginalized groups are often left out of research and the mainstream story about psychedelic medicine. The review explains how history and culture have made research and treatment unequal, and it gives recommendations for making psychedelic research and care more culturally aware and inclusive so more groups are recognized and have fair access.
- Psychedelic science has returned to the spotlight as researchers and therapists explore its possible uses for conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress, and addiction.
- The paper notes that the modern psychedelic research movement owes a lot to traditional indigenous uses of psychedelic plants and medicines.
- Indigenous people, ethnic and racial minorities, women, and other disenfranchised groups are often not supported or highlighted in mainstream accounts of psychedelic medicine.
- Historical and social factors have led to unequal participation in research and unequal access to treatments for minority groups.
- The authors offer recommendations to broaden Western medical approaches by adding cultural focus and taking steps to include diverse communities in future research and treatment development.
Abstract
In recent years, the study of psychedelic science has resurfaced as scientists and therapists are again exploring its potential to treat an array of psychiatric conditions, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. The scientific progress and clinical promise of this movement owes much of its success to the history of indigenous healing practices; yet the work of indigenous people, ethnic and racial minorities, women, and other disenfranchised groups is often not supported or highlighted in the mainstream narrative of psychedelic medicine. This review addresses this issue directly: first, by highlighting the traditional role of psychedelic plants and briefly summarizing the history of psychedelic medicine; second, through exploring the historical and sociocultural factors that have contributed to unequal research participation and treatment, thereby limiting the opportunities for minorities who ought to be acknowledged for their contributions. Finally, this review provides recommendations for broadening the Western medical framework of healing to include a cultural focus and additional considerations for an inclusive approach to treatment development and dissemination for future studies.