SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) Assistant Professor Dr. Jarrett Rose, who teaches in the Community and Behavioral Health and Sociology departments, recently published a paper titled, “Memory, trauma, and self: Remembering and recovering from sexual abuse in psychedelic-assisted therapy,” in The Journal of Psychedelic Studies.” 

This research is important because it points to new, more effective methods for healing trauma, especially for individuals who haven't found success with traditional treatments. The study calls for further exploration into how memory and self-identity play a critical role in recovery, opening up new possibilities for trauma therapy.
 
The study explores how psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, can help survivors of sexual abuse heal from trauma, specifically Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The study focuses on two women who participated in a psilocybin-assisted therapy retreat, where they were able to recover repressed memories of sexual abuse that they had been unaware of for many years.
 
Through guided psychedelic sessions, the women gained access to deeply buried traumatic memories. One woman recalled forgotten childhood abuse, and with this revelation, she was able to understand her lifelong struggles with her weight and mental health. Another woman experienced symbolic visions that helped her confront her unresolved childhood trauma. Both women, after their psilocybin experiences, found new ways to understand their past and reshape their identities in a more positive, self-compassionate way.
 
The study highlights how psilocybin doesn't just bring back forgotten memories but helps people make sense of these memories in a way that supports healing. By allowing trauma survivors to relive and reframe their experiences, the therapy helps them reconnect with their sense of self and find emotional relief. The findings suggest that psilocybin-assisted therapy could be an effective tool for treating PTSD and other mental health challenges that conventional therapies often struggle to address.