A real-world study suggests that survivors of a major trauma reported milder PTSD and anxiety symptoms if they had used classic psychedelics during the incident. The findings, published in a peer-reviewed journal of psychopharmacology, point to future directions for mental health research while underscoring that unsupervised use is not advised and must be studied in controlled settings.
The study followed 343 survivors of the October 7, 2023 Nova Festival attack in Israel, one of the deadliest modern festival tragedies. In the weeks after, researchers from Reichman University and partner institutions conducted in-person interviews with adults aged 18 to 64. The conversations assessed psychological well-being and prior or during-event use of psychoactive substances.
What sets this study apart is its examination of trauma exposure in a real-world, non-laboratory context. Participants who reported using classic psychedelics—psilocybin from certain mushrooms, LSD, mescaline, or 2C-B—showed lower self-reported anxiety and PTSD symptoms compared with those who used other substances or no substances at all. Across all survivors, average anxiety scores were moderate, but those who had taken psychedelics showed noticeable reductions.
Analyses controlled for age, gender, psychiatric history, and previous psychedelic exposure. The protective association was strongest among individuals who used only psychedelics, without combining them with other recreational drugs. A psychologist affiliated with Reichman University noted that the survivors’ cooperation enabled a more natural look at psychedelic effects outside clinical settings and highlighted the clinical relevance of the results.
A clinical volunteer working in a healing space after the attack observed that some survivors under the influence of certain substances appeared to show milder post-traumatic symptoms. This observation, in the face of media coverage suggesting the opposite, motivated the study. The researchers say the findings illuminate how different substances might influence memory formation and long-term trauma responses.
The study aligns with a broader international interest in therapeutic psychedelics. In controlled clinical environments, research has suggested benefits of psilocybin and MDMA for depression, anxiety, and PTSD among veterans and survivors of abuse. The Nova Festival study adds real-world insight from people exposed to collective trauma, complementing smaller clinical trials.
A psychologist from the research team explained that classic psychedelics impact brain systems involved in linking traumatic experiences with memory and emotional responses. The authors suggest these pharmacological targets could influence how trauma memories are formed and maintained, potentially affecting chronic PTSD and anxiety trajectories.
Thai mental health professionals and policymakers will find relevance in these findings amid national challenges—from road and workplace accidents to disasters and social tensions. There is growing public interest in mental health and new therapies, but Thai experts emphasize the need for rigorous research and careful regulation before any clinical adoption of psychedelic-assisted treatments.
The researchers caution against interpreting results as a call for recreational use. The lead investigator stressed that the findings require further scrutiny in supervised, evidence-based settings. Large-scale randomized trials are needed to determine who might benefit and how best to integrate such therapies into trauma care.
Thailand maintains strict regulation of psychoactive substances, including classic psychedelics. Still, Thai psychiatrists are watching international developments in psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression and MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD with cautious curiosity. Local discussions reflect a broader interest in balancing innovation with safety and cultural values.
Thailand also has strong traditions of non-pharmacological approaches to mental well-being. Mindfulness, communal support, and spiritual practices in Buddhist and local communities contribute to resilience. Experts emphasize that any future psychedelic-based interventions should complement established care, not replace it, and must be embedded in robust psychological support structures.
Global health experts warn that psychedelics are not universally safe and can trigger psychosis or worsen mental illness if misused. The Nova Festival researchers reiterate that their work is a stepping stone toward clinical testing, not an endorsement of unsupervised use. Comprehensive trials will clarify who benefits and under what conditions.
In moving forward, Thai clinicians advocate for a balanced path: advancing evidence-based trials, ensuring professional training, and implementing safeguards before considering psychedelic-assisted therapies. For immediate action, mental health professionals recommend evidence-backed treatments for PTSD—such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and strong social support—while keeping conversations about psychedelic therapies within the realm of future medical advances.
For readers seeking to support trauma survivors or stay informed about new therapeutic horizons, resources are available through Thailand’s Department of Mental Health and local hospitals. As discussion continues, the nation faces the challenge of enhancing healing in the wake of trauma while upholding cultural responsibility and ethical standards.