Finding Hope in Crisis: How Psychedelic Therapy Supported Mental Health During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented global mental health crisis that challenged traditional approaches to psychological care and revealed significant gaps in our mental health infrastructure. As lockdowns isolated people from their support systems, economic uncertainty threatened livelihoods, and the constant threat of illness created pervasive anxiety, mental health professionals struggled to meet the overwhelming demand for services. Traditional therapy became less accessible due to social distancing requirements, while the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic made many existing mental health conditions worse and created new psychological challenges for millions of people worldwide.
During this period of global crisis, an unexpected source of hope emerged from research examining how people who used psychedelic substances fared during the pandemic. Contrary to what many might expect, studies found that individuals who used psychedelics during this challenging time actually experienced improvements in their mental health, developing greater resilience and adaptive coping strategies that helped them navigate uncertainty and stress. These findings have important implications for understanding how psychedelic therapy might support mental health during times of crisis and what these treatments might offer to individuals facing ongoing challenges in their lives.
For people who lived through the pandemic's mental health challenges and continue to deal with its lasting effects, understanding how psychedelic therapy can support resilience and recovery offers valuable insights into alternative approaches to healing. The research reveals that psychedelic substances may offer unique benefits for developing the psychological flexibility and emotional regulation skills that are essential for navigating difficult life circumstances. This exploration examines what we learned about mental health during the pandemic, how psychedelic use supported psychological well-being during this crisis, and what these findings mean for the future of mental health treatment during challenging times.
The Mental Health Impact of Global Crises
Global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic create unique psychological challenges that differ significantly from the individual stressors that typically bring people to mental health treatment. The widespread nature of pandemic-related stress meant that entire populations were simultaneously dealing with similar threats and uncertainties, overwhelming traditional support systems and creating a collective trauma experience. Unlike personal crises that affect individuals or families, global crises create shared experiences of fear, loss, and uncertainty that can be difficult to process using conventional therapeutic approaches designed for individual problems.
The psychological impact of the pandemic manifested in multiple ways that highlighted the limitations of existing mental health treatments. Rates of depression and anxiety increased dramatically across all age groups, with some studies showing increases of 25% or more in the prevalence of these conditions during the first year of the pandemic [1]. Sleep disorders, substance use problems, and domestic violence also increased significantly, creating a complex web of interconnected mental health challenges that required innovative approaches to address effectively.
Social isolation, one of the most pervasive aspects of the pandemic experience, created particular challenges for mental health that traditional treatments struggled to address. Humans are fundamentally social beings, and the enforced separation from friends, family, and community connections had profound psychological effects that went beyond what could be addressed through individual therapy or medication. The loss of routine social interactions, community activities, and shared experiences created a sense of disconnection and meaninglessness that many people found difficult to overcome through conventional means.
Economic uncertainty and job loss during the pandemic created additional layers of stress that compounded existing mental health challenges. The relationship between financial security and psychological well-being is well-established, and the widespread economic disruption caused by pandemic-related shutdowns created anxiety and depression that was directly tied to external circumstances rather than internal psychological factors. Traditional mental health treatments, which often focus on changing thought patterns or emotional responses, were less effective for addressing stress that was rooted in legitimate external threats and uncertainties.
The healthcare system's response to the pandemic mental health crisis revealed significant limitations in our approach to psychological care during times of widespread stress. Mental health services became less accessible just when they were needed most, as providers shifted to telehealth platforms that were unfamiliar to many patients and less effective for certain types of treatment. The increased demand for services created long waiting lists and reduced availability of care, leaving many people without adequate support during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.
The COVID-19 Mental Health Emergency
The scale and scope of mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic created what many experts described as a "mental health emergency" that required immediate and innovative responses. Traditional metrics for measuring mental health showed dramatic increases in psychological distress across virtually all demographic groups, with particularly severe impacts on young adults, parents, healthcare workers, and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. The rapid onset and global nature of these challenges overwhelmed existing mental health infrastructure and highlighted the need for new approaches to supporting psychological well-being during crises.
Healthcare workers faced unique psychological challenges during the pandemic that traditional employee assistance programs and stress management approaches were inadequate to address. The combination of increased workload, fear of infection, moral distress from difficult treatment decisions, and social isolation created a perfect storm of psychological stressors that led to unprecedented rates of burnout, depression, and post-traumatic stress among medical professionals. Many healthcare workers reported feeling abandoned by traditional mental health resources that seemed inadequate for addressing the intensity and complexity of their experiences.
Parents and caregivers experienced particular stress during the pandemic as they juggled work responsibilities, childcare, and homeschooling while dealing with their own fears and uncertainties about the future. The closure of schools and childcare facilities created additional burdens that fell disproportionately on women and single parents, leading to increased rates of depression and anxiety in these populations. Traditional family therapy and parenting support services were often unavailable or inadequate for addressing the unprecedented challenges that families faced during this time.
Young adults and adolescents experienced significant mental health impacts from the pandemic that were often overlooked in discussions focused on physical health risks. The disruption of educational experiences, social development opportunities, and milestone events like graduations and proms created a sense of lost time and missed opportunities that contributed to increased rates of depression and anxiety in younger populations. Traditional youth mental health services were often inadequate for addressing the collective nature of these losses and the uncertainty about future opportunities.
The economic impact of the pandemic created mental health challenges that extended far beyond individual psychological factors to include systemic issues of poverty, housing insecurity, and food insecurity. Many people experienced mental health symptoms for the first time as a direct result of economic stress, while others saw existing conditions worsen due to financial pressures. Traditional mental health treatments that focus on individual coping strategies were often insufficient for addressing stress that was rooted in legitimate concerns about basic survival and security.
Traditional Treatment Limitations During Crisis
The pandemic revealed significant limitations in traditional mental health treatment approaches when applied to crisis situations affecting entire populations. Individual therapy, the cornerstone of mental health treatment, proved inadequate for addressing problems that were fundamentally social and collective in nature. While therapy can help individuals develop coping strategies for personal challenges, it was less effective for addressing the shared trauma and collective stress that characterized the pandemic experience.
Psychiatric medications, another mainstay of mental health treatment, faced unique challenges during the pandemic as supply chains were disrupted and access to prescribing physicians became more difficult. Many people experienced interruptions in their medication regimens due to appointment cancellations, pharmacy closures, or inability to afford medications due to job loss. The stress of medication discontinuation, combined with pandemic-related anxiety, created additional mental health challenges that were difficult to address through traditional means.
The shift to telehealth services, while necessary for maintaining some level of mental health care during lockdowns, created barriers for many patients who lacked access to reliable internet, private spaces for therapy sessions, or comfort with technology. The therapeutic relationship, which depends heavily on non-verbal communication and emotional attunement, was often compromised by the limitations of video conferencing technology. Many therapists reported feeling less effective in their work, while patients struggled to engage fully in treatment through digital platforms.
Group therapy and support groups, which can be particularly valuable during times of shared stress, became impossible to conduct in person due to social distancing requirements. While some groups transitioned to online formats, the sense of connection and mutual support that makes group interventions effective was often diminished in virtual settings. The loss of community-based mental health resources, including peer support programs and recreational therapy activities, eliminated important sources of social connection and meaning-making that many people relied on for psychological well-being.
Crisis intervention services, designed to provide immediate support during mental health emergencies, became overwhelmed by the increased demand and were often unable to provide adequate follow-up care. Emergency departments saw significant increases in mental health-related visits, but were often ill-equipped to address the complex psychological needs of patients experiencing pandemic-related distress. The traditional model of crisis intervention, which assumes that crises are temporary and individual in nature, was poorly suited to addressing the prolonged and collective nature of pandemic-related stress.
Research Findings on Psychedelic Use During the Pandemic
A groundbreaking study examining mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed surprising findings about individuals who used psychedelic substances during this challenging period. Researchers analyzed data from over 240,000 participants, tracking their mental health symptoms from before the pandemic through January 2022, and found that people who used psychedelics actually experienced improvements in depression, anxiety, and overall mental health during this time [1]. This finding was particularly remarkable given that most other groups showed worsening mental health outcomes during the same period.
The study identified six common patterns of drug use during the pandemic, with cannabis appearing across most categories. While most drug use clusters showed worse mental health outcomes compared to individuals who didn't use substances, the group that used both psychedelics and cannabis demonstrated significant improvements across multiple measures of psychological well-being. Participants in this group showed average improvements in depression scores of 0.26 standard deviations, anxiety improvements of 0.24 standard deviations, and overall mental health improvements of 0.2 standard deviations from pre-pandemic levels to January 2022.
What made these findings particularly significant was that the psychedelic and cannabis users eventually achieved mental health scores that were comparable to individuals who didn't use any substances, suggesting that psychedelic use may have provided protective benefits against pandemic-related psychological distress. In contrast, individuals who used only cannabis without psychedelics continued to show worse mental health outcomes throughout the study period, indicating that the benefits were specifically associated with psychedelic use rather than substance use in general.
The naturalistic nature of this study – examining real-world substance use rather than controlled clinical trials – provides valuable insights into how psychedelics might support mental health during times of crisis. Unlike clinical studies that examine psychedelic use in controlled therapeutic settings, this research looked at how people who chose to use these substances on their own fared during a period of widespread stress and uncertainty. The positive outcomes suggest that the benefits of psychedelic substances may extend beyond formal therapeutic contexts to include self-directed use during challenging life circumstances.
The timing of improvements observed in the study is also noteworthy, as participants who used psychedelics showed progressive improvements in mental health throughout the pandemic period rather than just temporary relief. This pattern suggests that psychedelic use may have facilitated lasting changes in how individuals processed and responded to stress, rather than simply providing short-term mood enhancement. The durability of these improvements aligns with findings from clinical studies showing that psychedelic therapy can produce lasting benefits that persist long after the acute effects of the substances have worn off.
Understanding Resilience and Adaptive Coping
The concept of psychological resilience – the ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity – became particularly relevant during the pandemic as researchers sought to understand why some individuals fared better than others during this challenging period. Resilience is not simply a personality trait that some people possess and others lack, but rather a set of skills and perspectives that can be developed and strengthened over time. The research on psychedelic use during the pandemic suggests that these substances may enhance resilience by facilitating the development of more adaptive coping strategies and more flexible responses to stress.
One of the key components of resilience is cognitive flexibility – the ability to adapt thinking and behavior in response to changing circumstances. Psychedelic substances have been shown to enhance cognitive flexibility by temporarily disrupting rigid patterns of thinking and allowing for new perspectives on challenging situations. During the pandemic, this enhanced flexibility may have helped individuals adapt more effectively to rapidly changing circumstances, find creative solutions to novel problems, and maintain hope despite uncertainty about the future.
Emotional regulation, another crucial component of resilience, involves the ability to manage intense emotions without being overwhelmed by them or resorting to harmful coping strategies. Research has shown that psychedelic experiences can enhance emotional regulation by providing insights into the temporary and changeable nature of emotional states and by reducing the tendency to identify completely with difficult emotions. During the pandemic, improved emotional regulation may have helped individuals process fear, grief, and uncertainty without becoming stuck in patterns of rumination or despair.
The sense of meaning and purpose that often emerges from psychedelic experiences may have been particularly valuable during the pandemic, when many people struggled with feelings of meaninglessness and disconnection. Psychedelic experiences frequently provide insights into the interconnected nature of human experience and can help individuals find meaning even in difficult circumstances. This enhanced sense of purpose and connection may have protected against the depression and anxiety that many people experienced as a result of social isolation and disrupted life plans.
Social connection and empathy, which are often enhanced by psychedelic experiences, may have provided additional protective benefits during the pandemic. Despite physical distancing requirements, individuals who had used psychedelics may have maintained stronger emotional connections with others and been more motivated to seek out and provide social support. The enhanced empathy that often results from psychedelic experiences may have helped individuals understand and respond compassionately to the struggles of others, creating a sense of shared humanity that countered feelings of isolation and despair.
Lessons for Future Mental Health Preparedness
The findings from pandemic-era research on psychedelic use have important implications for how we might better prepare for and respond to future mental health crises. The traditional model of mental health care, which relies heavily on individual therapy and psychiatric medications, proved inadequate for addressing the scale and nature of psychological distress during the pandemic. The research suggests that psychedelic-assisted approaches might offer valuable tools for supporting population-level mental health during times of widespread stress and uncertainty.
One of the key lessons from the pandemic research is the importance of addressing mental health challenges at the community level rather than focusing solely on individual treatment. The collective nature of pandemic-related stress required interventions that could help entire populations develop resilience and adaptive coping strategies. Psychedelic therapy, with its ability to rapidly facilitate perspective shifts and emotional healing, might be particularly well-suited for community-based interventions during future crises.
The research also highlights the potential value of preventive mental health interventions that build resilience before crises occur. Rather than waiting for mental health problems to develop and then treating them individually, a more proactive approach might involve using psychedelic therapy to help individuals develop the psychological flexibility, emotional regulation skills, and sense of meaning that can protect against stress-related mental health problems. This preventive approach could be particularly valuable for high-risk populations such as healthcare workers, first responders, and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions.
The integration of psychedelic therapy into existing mental health systems will require significant changes in training, regulation, and service delivery models. Mental health professionals will need training in psychedelic-assisted therapy techniques, while regulatory frameworks will need to evolve to allow for the safe and effective use of these substances in clinical settings. The development of specialized treatment centers and protocols for psychedelic therapy during crises could help ensure that these interventions are available when they are most needed.
The research findings also suggest the importance of addressing the social and environmental factors that contribute to mental health problems during crises. While psychedelic therapy can help individuals develop better coping strategies, it cannot address systemic issues such as economic inequality, social isolation, and inadequate healthcare access that contribute to psychological distress. A comprehensive approach to crisis mental health preparedness would need to combine innovative therapeutic interventions like psychedelic therapy with broader social and policy changes that address the root causes of psychological suffering.
Accessing Support During Difficult Times
For individuals currently dealing with mental health challenges related to the pandemic or other life crises, understanding the potential benefits of psychedelic therapy can inform decisions about treatment options. While access to legal psychedelic therapy remains limited in most areas, the research findings suggest that these treatments may be particularly valuable for individuals who have not found adequate relief through traditional approaches or who are dealing with stress related to external circumstances beyond their control.
The first step in exploring psychedelic therapy options is to work with qualified mental health professionals who can assess whether these treatments might be appropriate for your specific situation. Not everyone is a suitable candidate for psychedelic therapy, and comprehensive screening is essential to ensure safety and maximize the likelihood of positive outcomes. Factors such as personal and family psychiatric history, current medications, and specific mental health symptoms all need to be carefully evaluated before beginning psychedelic treatment.
Currently available options for psychedelic therapy vary by location and may include participation in clinical trials, ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression, or travel to jurisdictions where certain psychedelic substances have been decriminalized or legalized for therapeutic use. Each of these options has different requirements, costs, and potential benefits that should be carefully considered in consultation with qualified healthcare providers.
For individuals who are not able to access psychedelic therapy immediately, there are other approaches that can help build the resilience and coping skills that these treatments appear to enhance. Mindfulness meditation, breathwork practices, and other contemplative approaches can help develop some of the same psychological flexibility and emotional regulation skills that are enhanced by psychedelic experiences. While these practices may take longer to produce significant changes, they can provide valuable preparation for eventual psychedelic therapy and offer immediate benefits for managing stress and anxiety.
Building social connections and community support is another crucial component of resilience that can be developed regardless of access to psychedelic therapy. The research suggests that the social and empathic benefits of psychedelic experiences may be particularly important for mental health during crises. Actively cultivating relationships, participating in community activities, and seeking out opportunities to help others can provide some of the same protective benefits that appear to result from psychedelic-enhanced empathy and connection.
The pandemic taught us that mental health challenges can arise suddenly and affect entire populations, requiring innovative and flexible responses that go beyond traditional individual treatment approaches. The research on psychedelic use during this crisis provides hope that these powerful substances might offer valuable tools for supporting psychological well-being during difficult times. As we continue to face ongoing challenges and prepare for future crises, understanding and developing these approaches could help ensure that more people have access to effective support when they need it most.
References
[1] Bălăeţ, M., Trender, W., Lerede, A., Hellyer, P. J., & Hampshire, A. (2025). Naturalistic use of psychedelics is associated with longitudinal improvements in anxiety and depression during global crisis times. Journal of Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811251346729
Disclaimer: Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy has not been approved by any regulatory agencies in the United States, and the safety and efficacy are still not formally established at the time of this writing.