Exploring the potential of Psychedelics in Brain Injury Recovery: A Thematic Analysis of Participant Narratives

Individuals with acquired and traumatic brain injury (ABI/TBI) frequently experience persistent cognitive difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and trauma-related symptoms, yet few interventions effectively address these interconnected challenges. This exploratory qualitative study examined how people with ABI/TBI perceived the effects of psychedelic use on cognition, mental health, and trauma recovery. Five adults with a history of TBI who had used psychedelics post-injury participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: (1) trauma relief and mood stabilisation, describing reductions in anxiety, emotional reactivity, and trauma-related distress; (2) a temporary post-dose cognitive “lift”, particularly in memory, clarity, and coordination following macrodose experiences; and (3) insight, acceptance, and self-compassion, reflecting enhanced self-understanding, identity reconstruction, and gentler relationships with the self after injury. Participants reported that macrodose experiences produced the most noticeable effects, including short-term cognitive improvements that some interpreted as reflecting a transient period of increased neuroplasticity. Microdosing effects were less clear, partly due to inconsistent protocols. Overall, participants described psychedelic experiences as supporting emotional stability, trauma relief, and reflective insight, particularly in relation to post-injury cognitive and identity-related challenges, with potential implications for integrative neurorehabilitation approaches.