Self-reported improvement in depression, anxiety, and substance use in Spanish-speakers after a memorable psychedelic experience

Renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics has led to increased research, but this work often lacks diverse representation. This study examined the relationships between subjective psychedelic experiences and self-reported improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance use among Spanish-speaking individuals. A global sample of 404 Spanish-speaking adults who were 30 years old (S.D.=10.51) on average, 70.8% male, with some college (35.89%), mostly from Mexico, the US and Colombia (61.14%), completed an online survey assessing demographics and motivations for psychedelic use. Additionally, details about subjective effects of a most memorable psychedelic experience with psilocybin or LSD were collected using validated questionnaires. The majority of participants who reported having a mental health condition prior to a psychedelic experience reported their mental health condition was better (depression: 84%; anxiety: 74%; alcohol use disorder (AUD): 75%; drug use disorder (DUD): 69%) following a psychedelic experience. Logistic regression analyses revealed that psychological insight was associated with self-reported improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety, AUD, and DUD. Sensing a benign presence was associated with reduced depressive symptoms. Challenging experiences (e.g., physical distress, feelings of insanity, grief, isolation) decreased odds of self-reported improvements in mental health. Unexpectedly, mystical-type and transcendence experiences were negatively associated with AUD and DUD improvements. Findings suggest that psychological insight is important for self-reported therapeutic benefit, while challenging experiences may hinder improvements. This study highlights the need for more diverse representation in psychedelic research, particularly among Spanish-speaking adults. Limitations include retrospective design and potential self-selection bias.