Journal of Rural Mental Health, Vol 49(3), Jul 2025, 151-165; doi:10.1037/rmh0000302
Research suggests positive mental health outcomes associated with psychedelic use, but disparities in these outcomes exist between minority populations and Whites. This article examines the relationship between psychedelics and psychological distress among Whites and Native Indian or Alaskan Natives (NI/AN) who live in rural American Indian Areas (AIAs). Data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (2008–2019) with 458,372 participants aged 18 or older were used. Ordinary least squares regression models analyzed the impact of six measures of psychedelic use, lifetime classic psychedelics use, AIA status, and psychological distress. Results show that lifetime classic psychedelics use, psilocybin, and peyote/mescaline are linked to lower distress in Whites, while only lysergic acid diethylamide shows a similar association for NI/ANs. NI/ANs using peyote/mescaline report lower distress when residing in an AIA. For Whites, using 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and N,N-dimethyltryptamine while living in an AIA is linked to reduced distress. These findings support the minorities’ diminished psychedelic returns theory, demonstrating a reduction in psychological distress for NI/AN individuals residing in an AIA, as well as for Whites residing in an AIA. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)