Naturalistic Psychedelic Use for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Secondary Analysis of the Global Psychedelics Survey 2023

Abstract

This study is a secondary analysis of the Global Psychedelics Survey 2023, focusing on adults who reported using dissociatives (e.g., ketamine), entactogens (e.g., MDMA), or classic psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin) in naturalistic settings to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objectives are to: (1) characterize the demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical profiles of this group; (2) describe patterns and contexts of psychedelic use, including combined wellness practices; and (3) evaluate therapeutic outcomes, including perceived mental health benefits and self-reported changes in symptoms and treatment engagement. Given that most participants reported using psychedelics to address one or more conditions alongside PTSD (e.g., depression, chronic pain), results will be interpreted within the broader, real-world context of psychiatric and medical co/multimorbidity. Analyses will rely primarily on descriptive statistics, supplemented by targeted inferential tests where sample sizes and statistical assumptions permit. Findings will be exploratory and non-causal, intended to inform future clinical research and harm-reduction efforts.

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