Psychedelic Therapy and Trauma: What You Need to Know About Childhood Experiences
If you experienced childhood trauma, are psychedelics safe for you, and what precautions should you take?
Synopsis: New research involving over 3,000 people reveals that those with adverse childhood experiences are 2-3 times more likely to experience difficulties after psychedelic use. This doesn't mean psychedelics are off-limits for trauma survivors, but it highlights the critical importance of proper screening, preparation, and professional support.
Psychedelic Therapy and Trauma: What You Need to Know About Childhood Experiences
Many people who are drawn to psychedelic therapy are seeking healing from deep wounds. Perhaps you experienced abuse, neglect, or other painful events in your childhood. You've heard that psychedelics can help people process trauma, and you're wondering if they might help you too. This is a natural and hopeful question, but it's also one that deserves a careful and honest answer.
A major new study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy has shed important light on this question (1). Researchers surveyed over 3,000 people who had used psychedelics and found that those with a history of adverse childhood experiences were significantly more likely to have difficulties after their psychedelic experiences. This doesn't mean that psychedelics are dangerous for trauma survivors, but it does mean that extra care and caution are needed.
What the Research Found
The study looked at people who had used psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, or ayahuasca outside of a clinical setting (1). Participants were asked about their childhood experiences, including whether they had experienced abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction. They were also asked whether they had experienced any significant distress or impairment in their lives as a result of using psychedelics.
The findings were clear. People with two adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were 2.24 times more likely to report difficulties after psychedelic use compared to those with no ACEs. Those with three ACEs were 2.27 times more likely, and those with four or more ACEs were 2.84 times more likely (1). Additionally, people with four or more ACEs were more likely to experience difficulties that lasted more than a day or more than a week.
It's important to put these numbers in perspective. The vast majority of people in the study, 88%, reported no difficulties at all. Only about 6% reported difficulties that lasted more than a day, and only 1.3% reported difficulties that lasted more than a year. So while the risk is higher for people with a history of trauma, it's still relatively low overall.
Why Does Childhood Trauma Increase Risk?
There are several reasons why people with a history of childhood trauma might be more vulnerable to difficulties after psychedelic use. One possibility is that psychedelics can bring up repressed or forgotten memories. For someone who has experienced trauma, this can be overwhelming and frightening. Without proper support, it can feel like being re-traumatized (2).
Another factor is that people with a history of trauma often have heightened emotional reactivity. Their nervous systems are more sensitive to stress, and they may have a harder time regulating their emotions. A psychedelic experience can be emotionally intense, and for someone with a trauma history, it can be difficult to navigate those intense feelings without becoming overwhelmed.
Finally, psychedelics can sometimes lead to what researchers call "ontological shock," which is a sudden and overwhelming change in one's worldview or sense of self (3). For someone who is already struggling with issues related to identity or meaning, this can be deeply unsettling.
What Kinds of Difficulties Do People Experience?
The study asked people to describe the difficulties they experienced in their own words (1). The most common themes were anxiety, negative changes in self-concept, and social disconnection. Some people described feeling persistently anxious or fearful after their psychedelic experience. Others felt that their sense of self had been shaken in a way that was confusing and distressing. Still others felt disconnected from the people around them, as if they no longer fit into their old social world.
These experiences can be challenging, but it's important to remember that they are not inevitable. With the right preparation, support, and integration, many of these difficulties can be avoided or managed.
The Importance of Trauma-Informed Psychedelic Therapy
The key takeaway from this research is not that people with trauma histories should avoid psychedelics. Rather, it's that they need to approach psychedelics with extra care and with the support of a trained professional. This is where trauma-informed psychedelic therapy comes in.
A trauma-informed therapist understands the unique needs and vulnerabilities of people who have experienced trauma. They know how to create a safe and supportive environment where difficult emotions can be processed without becoming overwhelming. They can help you to prepare for a psychedelic experience by building skills for emotional regulation and by addressing any fears or concerns you might have. They can also help you to integrate the experience afterward, making sense of what came up and translating it into meaningful changes in your life.
Screening and Preparation: Essential Safeguards
Before embarking on a psychedelic journey, it's essential to go through a thorough screening process. This should include a detailed discussion of your personal history, including any trauma you have experienced. It should also include an assessment of your current mental health and any risk factors that might make a psychedelic experience more challenging.
Preparation is just as important as the experience itself. A good therapist will spend time helping you to understand what to expect, how to navigate difficult moments, and how to stay grounded. They will help you to set intentions for the experience and to build a sense of trust and safety.
Integration: The Real Work Happens After
The psychedelic experience itself is just the beginning. The real work happens in the days, weeks, and months that follow. This is the integration phase, where you make sense of what you experienced and translate it into lasting changes in your life. For people with a history of trauma, integration is especially important. It's an opportunity to process any difficult emotions that came up, to challenge old beliefs and patterns, and to build new, healthier ways of being.
A skilled therapist can be an invaluable guide during this process. They can help you to see the connections between your past experiences and your present struggles. They can help you to develop compassion for yourself and to recognize your own strength and resilience.
Is Psychedelic Therapy Right for You?
If you have a history of childhood trauma, psychedelic therapy can be a powerful tool for healing, but it's not without risks. The most important thing you can do is to approach it with care and to work with a qualified, trauma-informed therapist. Don't try to navigate this journey alone.
If you are curious about whether psychedelic-assisted therapy might be right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation. This is a safe, confidential space to discuss your history, ask questions, and explore whether this approach is a good fit for your needs. Healing is possible, and you don't have to do it alone.
References
(1) Olofsson, M., et al. (2026). Difficulties following naturalistic psychedelic use and associations with adverse childhood experiences. International Journal of Drug Policy, 148, 105105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.105105
(2) Simon, K., et al. (2025). Resurfacing of traumatic memories during psychedelic experiences: An interview study. Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 9(1), 45-58.
(3) Argyri, E. K., et al. (2025). Navigating groundlessness: An interview study on dealing with ontological shock and existential distress following psychedelic experiences. PLOS One, 20(1), e0322501. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322501
(4) Bremler, R., et al. (2023). Childhood trauma and psychedelic experiences: A qualitative analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1089234.
(5) Healy, C. J. (2021). The acute effects of classic psychedelics on memory: A systematic review. Psychopharmacology, 238(3), 639-653. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-020-05756-w
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.