Focus groups with low-income Black adults identified questions about trust, autonomy, practical access and the history of healthcare and drug policy.
What they studied
Researchers held four focus groups with low-income Black adults in an urban U.S. setting. They explored participants’ views of psychedelic-assisted therapy, including interest, concerns and factors that could affect access.
What the research found
Researchers identified three central themes:
Participants connected some concerns to histories of racism in healthcare, research, drug policy and criminalization.
They also discussed barriers and possible solutions including transportation, childcare, community-building and preserving individual choice.
What this helps us understand
The findings distinguish hesitation from rejection. Participants could be interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy while also weighing trust, autonomy, historical experience and practical access. For research and engagement teams, the study provides a more detailed way to understand attitudes than a simple measure of acceptance or opposition.
