The Racial Equity and Access Committee is a branch of the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines that endeavors to ensure that traditionally marginalized racial, ethnic, and indigenous communities have access to these healing medicines and are actively included in the field of psychedelic studies at all levels. This consortium of researchers, advocates, and activists aims to center social justice-related values in the field of psychedelic studies, broadly defined; give visibility to indigenous people’s legacies and knowledge around psychedelic plant medicines; promote the presence of people of color in the field (in conferences, events, documentaries, media interviews etc); hold the field accountable for the inclusion of diverse people in research studies, treatment trials, and policy initiatives; increase access to and availability of psychedelics in diverse communities; raise awareness of the benefits of psychedelics in diverse communities; advise providers on culturally-responsive uses of psychedelics and collaborate with researchers to design protocols that are inclusive and culturally-responsive.

Chacruna’s Inclusion, Diversity and Psychedelics Call for Articles

Chacruna’s Inclusion, Diversity and Psychedelics series addresses historic and contemporary challenges to access and inclusion in the psychedelic community, leadership, and research. In this series we explore individual, structural, and sociocultural factors that act as barriers to full inclusion, identify strategies to transform the field, and highlight calls to action for ensuring equity, dismantling oppression, and creating sustained systemic change. The series features research summaries, reflections, and strategies for increasing the inclusion of diverse people at all levels of the psychedelic revolution. The series seeks submission for original articles related to this topic.

For more information, and submissions write at: [email protected]

To read the articles of this series, click here.

Call for Articles: Exploring Power Dynamics and Discrimination

Plant medicines have long been associated with profound healing experiences, yet they also exist within broader societal structures that can perpetuate inequality and marginalization and block access to these therapies.

Chacruna in its mission to educate and ensure access to plant medicines, therefore must also be dedicated to fostering dialogue and understanding around the dynamics of power and discrimination within institutes and individuals. It is important to address power dynamics and discrimination specifically within the psychedelic community. Inspired by the recent Frontiers special issue on power and discrimination, edited by Dr. Monnica Williams and Dr. Sonya Faber, both board members of Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, alongside the Director, Dr. Bia Labate, we now invite submissions for short articles that further explore the intersections of power, discrimination, and psychedelics. Join us in continuing this vital conversation and contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.

Prejudices and biases permeate societies, leading to various forms of discrimination and inequities. From structural racism to gender-based barriers, and from economic oppression to systemic colonization, the misuse and imbalance of power lie at the heart of these issues.

This call seeks to shed light on covert or under-examined aspects of power, exploring its effects on individuals and institutions. We encourage submissions that uncover hidden power structures, examine psychological consequences, and propose mechanisms for positive change.

Topics of interest include:

- Exploration of power dynamics within psychedelic therapy sessions and research settings.
- Analysis of how societal power structures influence access to psychedelic-assisted therapy and plant medicines.
- Examination of the role of privilege and marginalization in psychedelic communities and research.
- Investigation into the historical and cultural contexts of power dynamics in indigenous and traditional psychedelic practices.
- Exploration of psychedelic experiences as catalysts for personal and collective empowerment or disempowerment.
- Discussion on the potential of psychedelic therapy to address and dismantle systemic power imbalances and discrimination.
- Exploration of covert institutional power structures and their psychological effects.
- Analysis of individual decision-making influenced by power dynamics.
- Examination of the relationship between power and moral growth.
- Investigation into the construction and administration of policy as a tool for power hoarding.

We welcome original insights, theoretical perspectives, personal reflections, and commentary on these themes. Submissions should be concise and accessible, aiming to stimulate further discussion and scholarship in the field.

Join us in uncovering the complexities of power and discrimination, and in fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.

Submission Guidelines:

- Length: Short articles, approximately 800-2000 words.
- Format: Please submit in Word or PDF format.
- Deadline:

We look forward to your contributions.

Please read our Chacruna Chronicles Author Guide and publishing agreement before submitting.

Best regards,
Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines

Racial Equity and Access Committee

NiCole T. Buchanan, PhD, is a professor, psychologist and Interim Board Chair and CEO of the Board of Psychedelic Medicine and Therapies, serves on the Racial Equity and Access Committee of the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicine and previously served as Co-Chair of the Inaugural Board of Directors for the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association. Dr. Buchanan trained with MAPS, Polaris Insight Center and the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, four divisions of the American Psychological Association and has received international awards for her contributions to the field. An accomplished writer and scholar, she has 120+ publications focusing on equity and inclusion (in psychedelics, training, and organizations), harassment, organizational climate and professional development. Her work is highlighted in hundreds of media outlets and she is a featured international speaker, including TEDx and National Public Radio.

Dr. Sonya Faber graduated with a Masters in Neurobiology from Brown University after completing her undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania. She continued her graduate studies at New York University earning a PhD in molecular genetics with a thesis concentration in signal transduction. Over the course of the last 15 years, she has had the opportunity and privilege to contribute equally to both academic research institutes and commercial pharmaceutical development. She has worked in clinical operations for companies including, IQVIA, Covance and Sanofi-Aventis. Her interests lie in creating innovative solutions for projects which could benefit both patients and the scientific community, in part by connecting with top scientists, industry and regulatory agencies.In her academic roles, she assessed novel ideas and supported scientists in making these commercially viable while contributing to several original grants and research papers and patents. Her interest in protocol design, medical writing and project management, which she utilized in both pharma and biotech firms, included pre-clinical and clinical activities for phase II and III trials across multiple indications. She has a special interest in training the next generation of clinical researchers and has designed courses to teach scientific writing and Good Clinical Practice. Dr. Faber is member of the Board Directors of the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines and serves on Chacruna’s Racial Equity and Access Committee. Her engagement on Chacruna is on a volunteer basis and is based on her personal interest in the science of psychedelics, which has long been an interest of hers before taking her current position at Angelini Pharma. In the past two years, she has started an international collaboration with researchers at the University of Ottawa in Canada on several projects in the area of mental health disparities and social justice. She also served on the steering committee for the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association.

Jamilah R. George, M.Div., a Detroit native, singer, dancer, and actress, obtained her Bachelor’s from the University of Michigan, her Master’s from Yale University, and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Connecticut. Jamilah serves as a MAPS-sponsored phase 3 MDMA-assisted psychotherapy co-therapist whose site focuses on treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress among people of color. She is also a member of Chacruna’s Racial Equity and Access committee. Her research interests include obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, the psychological effects of discrimination and racial trauma on people of color, and the neurological underpinnings of these disorders. Jamilah’s passion for social justice and equality issues fuels her work as she advocates for the mental and holistic wellbeing of socially disenfranchised groups, including women, people of color, impoverished domestic and international communities, and the intersections therein.

Joseph McCowan, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher, currently working in Los Angeles. He received his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Since 2019, Joseph worked as a Co-therapist and Supervisor in the MAPS sponsored Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD and supports MAPS Therapy Training and Education as a Lead Educator and Supervisor. Additionally, Dr. McCowan supported efforts toward increasing the diversity of therapists and participants in the MAPS clinical studies as part of the MAPS Diversity Working Group. Dr. McCowan also currently conducts research as a therapist in the Compass Phase III Studies of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Treatment Resistant Depression and provides Psychedelic assisted therapy education as a lead trainer with Fluence. Joseph’s prior work includes providing Ketamine Assisted Therapy and Psychedelic Integration Therapy at the California Center for Psychedelic Therapy. Joseph is deeply passionate about furthering education and awareness of the healing benefits of psychedelics for communities of color and in working to improve mental health outcomes for historically underserved communities. He is a member of Chacruna’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Stephanie Michael Stewart is a holistic psychiatrist who brings a spiritual, environmental, and social justice perspective to her work. After serving as Chief Resident of Psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Stewart led LA County’s West Central Wellness Center where she developed innovative programs for communities of color that integrated evidence-based psychiatric treatments with complementary therapies. She then founded Worldwide Wellness, where she expanded her approach to incorporate travel, immersion in nature, Indigenous wisdom and, more recently, ketamine-assisted therapy. Dr. Stewart is currently developing a psychedelic-assisted therapy training program for psychiatric residents at historically black colleges and universities. Dr. Stewart holds a BS in Biology from Spelman College and an MD from Morehouse School of Medicine. She is a psychedelic advisor to multiple organizations in the US and Canada and is a member of Chacruna’s Racial Equity and Access Committee. She is of Black, White, and Native American descent.

Darron T. Smith is associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington. He is also Co-Director at The Center of Novel Therapeutics in Addiction Psychiatry. He is a physician assistant and US Army veteran with over twenty years of healthcare-related experience as an educator and mental health practitioner. Dr. Smith has trained with MAPS’ MDMA-assisted therapy. His research and scholarship examine US-based systems of racial oppression and systemic inequality in all societal domains, including healthcare, the family (transracial adoption), healthcare disparities, addiction, religion, sport, culture, and politics. Dr. Smith’s current research and practice intertwine the study of applied neuroscience, race-based trauma, and mental illness by looking at the impact of EEG biofeedback versus MDMA-assisted psychotherapy on brainwave activity in individuals with racial trauma (PTSD) using EEG technology. Dr. Smith is an American Psychedelic Prescribers Association (APPA) board member. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines

Monnica T. Williams is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa, in the School of Psychology, where she is the Canada Research Chair in Mental Health Disparities. She is also Clinical Director of the Behavioral Wellness Clinic. Her research focuses on African American mental health, culture, and psychopathology, and she has published over 100 scientific articles on these topics. Current projects include the assessment of race-based trauma, unacceptable thoughts in OCD, improving cultural competence in the delivery of mental health care services, and interventions to reduce racism. She gives diversity trainings nationally for clinical psychology programs, scientific conferences, and community organizations. She currently is Chair of their Academic Training & Education Standards (ATES). She is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation, and co-founded their Diversity Council. Dr. Williams is a member of Chacruna’s Racial Equity and Access Committee.

Psychonautic Judaism: The Psychedelic Renaissance and the Future of Judaism

Chacruna Institute - May 25, 2021

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 from 12-1:30pm PST REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT HERE There is growing enthusiasm in Jewish communities about possible ancient use and modern applications of plant medicine in Jewish spiritual development. Psychedelic Judaism introduce new potential modes of healing...