A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders has shown that the mental health benefits of psilocybin, the main psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, may vary significantly depending on a person’s race.
Researchers recruited almost 3,000 people in the US who planned to use psilocybin outside of a clinical setting to take part in a large-scale longitudinal survey. Participants completed assessments before their psilocybin experience and at multiple time points afterwards, with the final assessment occurring 2-3 months after use.
Respondents were asked to identify their race and were categorised into two groups: those who identified as white and those who did not, referred to in the study as people of colour.
The results showed that while both groups experienced similar short-term improvements in mental health after using psilocybin in natural settings, those in the people of colour group were less likely to maintain certain long-term benefits, particularly in spiritual well-being and cognitive flexibility.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic substance found in over 200 species of fungi. It is recognised for its ability to alter perception, mood, and thought processes, producing experiences ranging from profound spiritual insights to intense emotional shifts. Historically, various cultures have utilised psilocybin-containing mushrooms in rituals and healing practices. In recent years, scientific interest in psilocybin has grown substantially due to its potential therapeutic applications for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
The researchers noted, however, that there is a significant gap in psychedelic studies, which have historically included predominantly white participants.
“While a number of longitudinal studies have demonstrated that naturalistic psilocybin use is linked to positive mental health outcomes on average, few studies have examined how the effects of psilocybin and contexts for psilocybin use may differ for White populations compared to Populations of Color,” the study authors wrote.
“Few empirical investigations have examined psychedelic compounds in racial and ethnic minority populations.”
The study also noted differences in emotional regulation, with white participants showing a reduction in “expressive suppression” (the tendency to hide emotional responses) after psilocybin use, while participants in the people of colour group did not demonstrate this change.
Interestingly, respondents in the people of colour group were more likely to set intentions before their psilocybin experience and reported stronger mystical experiences and altered time perception during the psychedelic state.
“With increasing recreational psychedelic use, and growing interest in the development of psychedelic therapies for mental healthcare, more data will be needed to inform the differential effects of psychedelics in individuals from diverse backgrounds and how their use as mental health interventions may be optimized in culturally appropriate ways,” the researchers concluded.
