what voices are being represented in psychedelic spaces?

What voices are being represented in the field of psychedelic medicine? Of the books on the required reading list for CIIS Center for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research program, three out of four were written by white men. The fourth, Managing Microaggressions: Addressing Everyday Racism in Therapeutic Spaces, was written by Dr. Monnica Williams, a Black clinician, researcher, educator, and leader in the field of psychedelic medicine. I've read Dr. Williams' publications in peer-reviewed journals and her book Eliminating Race-Based Mental Health Disparities (a collection she co-edited). Dr. Williams is a frequent presenter at conferences and on popular platforms like Chacruna, speaking on the benefits of psychedelics in healing racial trauma. Her work is absolutely a guiding light for me, as is that of Dr. NiCole Buchanan, who focuses on racial and gendered health disparities and has published many papers including 'Ensuring the psychedelic renaissance and radical healing reach the Black community'

To say that voices of Black and brown people are underrepresented in psychedelic medicine is an understatement. In a special issue of the Journal of Psychedelic Studies, the disparities in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in psychedelic medicine are highlighted. Each article in this issue is powerful and represents diverse voices in race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexuality. Yet I'm keenly aware that these voices and concerns are treated as 'special issue' topics, that DEI is treated as a subject separate from the main content, which perpetuates othering. What I want is an approach to this work grounded in the recognition that healing with these medicines has been in the lineages of Black and brown people for thousands of years, it didn't start in the 60s by white men at Harvard. An approach that centers the voices and experiences of Black and brown people, and moves outward from that center guided by their leadership. This passion is at the foundation of my work and collaborations.

And, we need more publications by BIPOC authors! Especially outside of the academy. I want to lift up and support the work of two amazing humans I know who are working on books right now, Robin Divine from Black People Trip and Georgina Bailey Black Mental Health, Magic Mushrooms & Healing Trauma. Check out and support their work as well as the awesome BIPOC academics cited above.