A groundbreaking real-world investigation has discovered that survivors of an extreme traumatic event reported significantly milder symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety if they had been under the influence of classic psychedelics during the incident. The findings, recently published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, present new directions for mental health research—though experts stress that unsupervised use of such substances is not recommended and requires further study within controlled settings (Neuroscience News).
This research followed 343 survivors of the October 7, 2023, Nova Festival attack in Israel, one of the deadliest modern-day festival tragedies, where nearly 400 people lost their lives, and hundreds suffered both physical and psychological trauma. In the weeks after the attack, a research team from Reichman University and partnering institutions conducted detailed, in-person interviews with survivors aged 18 to 64. These interviews assessed not only their psychological well-being but also their use of psychoactive substances before and during the traumatic events.
What makes this study unique within the field of trauma research is its opportunity to examine real-life, large-scale traumatic exposure and its interaction with psychoactive substance use outside of a laboratory setting. Classic psychedelics—psilocybin (found in hallucinogenic mushrooms), LSD, mescaline, and 2C-B—stood out as correlating with significantly lower self-reported anxiety and PTSD symptoms when compared with both other substances (such as MDMA, cannabis, or alcohol) and no substance use. For context, the average anxiety score across all Nova Festival survivors was 1.90, but among those who had taken classic psychedelics, the average dropped to 1.38.
The researchers applied rigorous controls to the analyses, accounting for age, gender, psychiatric history, and previous exposure to psychedelics. The protective effect appeared even more pronounced in individuals who had used only psychedelics—without mixing with other recreational substances. According to an institutional psychologist at the Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, “The survivors’ willingness to cooperate during such a difficult time allowed us to examine the effects of psychedelics at an early stage of symptom onset, and in a more natural setting compared to therapeutic contexts. These data are of great clinical importance.”
An on-the-ground clinical psychologist who volunteered at a post-attack healing space noted signs that led to the study’s conception: “Dozens of conversations with survivors showed that some of those who had been under the influence of certain substances displayed milder post-traumatic symptoms. At the same time, media had claimed substance use could exacerbate trauma. This contradiction led us to investigate further. Our study sheds light on how different substances might interact with traumatic memory formation and retention, offering insights for future prevention and treatment.”
This research echoes a growing international interest in therapeutic psychedelics. Notably, in recent years, medical literature has clarified that when administered in controlled, clinical environments, psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA have shown promise for treating conditions like depression, severe anxiety, and PTSD among war veterans and survivors of abuse (NIH). However, the Nova Festival study provides rare, real-world evidence from people subjected to collective trauma, rather than the smaller, regulated samples often used in clinical trials.
A psychology professor at the research institution added, “The main finding of our study indicates that the brain systems activated by classic psychedelics are central in connecting the experience of a life-threatening event, the formation of traumatic memory, and the emergence of psychological symptoms.” The results suggest that the pharmacological targets of these psychedelics may affect how trauma memories are formed in the brain, potentially reducing the likelihood or severity of chronic PTSD and anxiety responses.
Thai mental health professionals and policymakers will find these findings especially relevant as Thailand faces its own social stressors—from road accidents to natural disasters and ongoing political unrest. There is increasing public dialogue about mental health, the role of emerging therapies, and cultural openness to mind-altering experiences, as reflected in traditional spiritual practices across the region. As Western studies on psychedelics multiply, the Thai medical community has voiced a need for proper research and regulation before adapting or rejecting such therapies.
Yet, the research’s authors are quick to temper enthusiasm. “The study’s findings are not intended to encourage recreational or unsupervised use of psychedelics,” said the lead investigator. “The results suggest a need for further scrutinized investigation, especially regarding how these substances might be integrated into supervised, evidence-based psychological treatments.”
Thailand’s current legal framework strictly regulates psychoactive substances, including classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD (Office of the Narcotics Control Board). Nonetheless, there is a cautious curiosity among local psychiatrists who have followed international clinical trials featuring psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD (Bangkok Post). These therapies are now in late-stage trials in the US, UK, and Australia, showing consistent results for reducing treatment-resistant symptoms.
Historically, Thailand has traditions of herbal healing and ceremonies, though these have never included classic Western psychedelics. Some Thai Buddhist and animist practices are well-known for their use of chanting, meditation, and fasting—non-pharmacological methods that can also alter states of consciousness (Wikipedia: Thai Buddhism). The crucial difference, mental health experts emphasize, is that these practices are deeply embedded in community and ritual frameworks, a factor that may parallel the need for strong psychological support when considering any mind-altering interventions for trauma.
Experts around the world repeatedly note that psychedelics are not universally safe, and their use can trigger psychosis or worsen underlying mental illness if not carefully monitored (Mayo Clinic). The Nova Festival researchers themselves state unequivocally that their findings should be seen as paving the way for further clinical studies, not as an endorsement of unsupervised use. Large-scale randomized controlled trials will be required to clarify who might benefit from psychedelics as part of trauma therapy—and under what conditions.
In Thailand, mental health professionals suggest a path forward that blends global innovation with local wisdom: prioritizing evidence-based trials, professional training, and robust safeguards before introducing any psychedelic-assisted therapies. For readers seeking practical steps today, experts recommend focusing on established PTSD treatments such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and support from family, monks, or community healers—reserving talk of psychedelics for the future of medicine, not its present.
For those interested in supporting trauma survivors or learning more about new therapeutic frontiers, resources are available through the Department of Mental Health (dmh.go.th), local hospitals, and international publications keeping pace with mental health research. As the dialogue continues, Thai society faces a collective challenge: how to support healing in the wake of trauma, weighing openness to scientific advances with caution rooted in cultural and ethical responsibility.