Our Research Projects
Welcome to our research projects, where we explore innovative approaches in psychedelic clinical interventions, mental health treatment, resilience, and substance use prevention and treatment. Join as we delve into the science and possibilities of these transformative areas.
01
Exploring Resilience Among Participants Attending Ceremonial Ayahuasca Retreats
This project investigates how participants develop psychological resilience through ceremonial ayahuasca experiences. Using a mixed-methods design, we examine both the acute and enduring effects of the ceremony on personal growth, well-being, and coping with life challenges.
#longitudinal study #mixed-methods design #ceremonial ayahuasca retreat #psychological resilience #post-ceremony outcomes #Latin America #harm reduction #well-being measures #prospective cohort #acute and enduring effects
02
The Role of Passion in Substance Use and Mental Health
Drawing from the Dualistic Model of Passion, this study explores how harmonious and obsessive passion relate to substance use behaviors and mental health outcomes. We aim to identify protective versus risk factors to inform substance use prevention and intervention efforts.
#Dualistic Model of Passion #harmonious passion #obsessive passion #cannabis use disorder #alcohol misuse #coping motives #protective factors #risk factors #college students #substance use prevention #motivational framework
🌱Publications
03
Ethical Dimensions of Psychedelic Facilitation in Cross-Cultural Contexts
This project examines emerging ethical considerations in the adaptation of traditional healing practices within modern psychedelic facilitation.
#psychedelic facilitation ethics #cross-cultural psychedelic therapy #indigenous healing practices #psychedelic tourism #ethical guidelines #cultural appropriation #informed consent #Amazonian traditions #decolonizing psychedelic research
04
Review on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Mental Health Treatment
This project synthesizes current evidence on the use of psychedelic-assisted approaches in mental health treatment. The goal is to map emerging clinical findings and identify gaps for future research.
#systematic review #PRISMA #psychedelic-assisted therapy #mental health treatment #PTSD #depression #anxiety #trauma treatment #clinical effectiveness #therapeutic mechanisms · evidence synthesis
05
Survey of the Psilocybin Church of Utah: Comparing Data Pre- and Post-Psilocybin Ceremony
This study is looking at mental health related outcomes for individuals pursuing psilocybin ceremonies through The Divine Assembly, a psilocybin church in Salt Lake City.
#psilocybin ceremony #pre-post design #mental health outcomes #naturalistic study #spiritual practice #community-based research #Salt Lake City #The Divine Assembly
Completed Projects
Welcome to our portfolio of recently completed projects, showcasing our commitment to quality and innovation.
01
Sex Differences in Religious Belief Changes After Ayahuasca Entity Encounters
This study explored sex differences in changes in religious beliefs after entity encounters during ayahuasca experiences. Using survey data from 415 participants, results showed both sex groups reported decreases in atheism and agnosticism and increases in religious beliefs, with males experiencing a more significant shift. These findings suggested that sex may influence how psychedelic experiences impact spirituality, emphasizing the need for further research on this topic.
#sex differences #entity encounter #ayahuasca experience #religious belief change #atheism #agnosticism #spirituality #survey data #psychedelic phenomenology
02
Open-label Study of Consecutive Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT Assisted-therapy for Trauma-exposed Male Special Operations Forces Veterans
This project examined the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy using ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT among trauma-exposed Special Operations Forces Veterans. Across publications, results showed significant improvements in PTSD, depression, anxiety, alcohol misuse, cognitive functioning, and psychological flexibility up to six months post-treatment. Findings highlighted the potential of legal psychedelic-assisted approaches to support recovery in veteran populations traditionally underserved by standard treatments.
#ibogaine-assisted therapy #5-MeO-DMT #Special Operations Forces Veterans #PTSD treatment #trauma-exposed veterans #open-label study #depression #anxiety #alcohol misuse #cognitive functioning #psychological flexibility #six-month follow-up
🌱Publications
03
Psychedelic Experiences and Racial Trauma Healing Among People of Color
This project investigated the potential mental health benefits of psychedelic experiences in reducing racial trauma symptoms among people of color in North America. Across several studies, findings consistently showed that psychedelic use was associated with decreases in racial trauma symptoms and improvements in psychological well-being. Specifically, one study identified psychological flexibility as a key mechanism, while another focused on Asian-identifying participants found links between psychedelic use, decreased trauma symptoms, and strengthened ethnic identity. This work contributed to early evidence supporting the role of psychedelics in racial trauma healing.
#racial trauma #people of color #psychedelic experiences #ethnic identity #psychological flexibility #mental health disparities #North America #racial trauma symptoms
🌱Publications