To participate in the CU Denver Psilocybin Study, click on each of the three web links below and complete each of the three forms. After you complete the forms, a team member will contact you to schedule a recorded interview.
Eligibility requirements: Colorado resident, used psilocybin in the past twelve months, age 45-85, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) or a low-income individual. See the eligiblity form below for more details.
Details
Study title: “Psilocybin Use Among BIPOC Community Members in Denver” (COMIRB #22-1797)
The study is designed to learn more about patterns of psilocybin use, stigma reduction and indigenous knowledge about psilocybin through video-recorded interviews.
This study aims to reduce stigma toward older adults, BIPOC and individuals who are members of marginalized communities and unable to afford the cost of psilocybin sessions for therapy. Also, the study seeks to examine the use of psilocybin to address trauma, foster healing and/or increase cultural connections to ancestors and indigenous knowledge systems.
Video recordings from the study and approved by participants will be uploaded to the Internet where anyone with an Internet connection may see them. Approved videos will be integrated in an episode for the community access television program Getting High on Anthropology (Marty Otañez, producer and researcher carrying out this study).
Also, recordings will be screened at presentations and selected public locations. Community members, students, instructors, researchers, public health advocates, law enforcement officers and others with an interest in psilocybin use, stigma, and indigenous knowledge of psilocybin may see the videos.
In January 2023 to December 2024, 100 interviews with BIPOC and low income individuals were completed.
In 2025, data are being analyzed and integrated into manuscripts and presentations. In addition, a respository of recorded interviews is being created and will be uploaded to this web page in 2025.
The current phase of the research focuses on individuals ages 45-85.
Funding
Funds ($5,000.) provided the University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Research Innovation Seed Program (Phase 1, January 2023 to December 2024)
Funds ($2,000.) provided by the University of Colorado Denver Age Friendly University Committee (Phase 2, July-December 2025)
Study Team Members
Marty Otañez, Principal Investigator, Associate Professor, Anthropology Department, University of Colorado Denver, marty.otanez@ucdenver.edu (LinkTree)
Research Asssitants
David Bradford, Doctoral Student in the Clinical Health Psychology program, University of Colorado Denver, funds from the CU Denver Age Friendly University Committee (June 2025-present)
Arthur Mason, Psychology Undergraduate Student, University of Colorado Denver, and recipient of the Education Through Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (EURēCA!) Summer Fellowship Award (fall 2024-present)
Keira Zito, Undergraduate Anthropology Student, University of Colorado Denver (spring 2025-present)
Angelina Snelling, Undergraduate Social Work Student, University of Colorado Colorado Spring (spring 2025-present)
Luke Dressler, Undergraduate Anthropology Student (graduated May 2025) and Student Assistant in the Education Through Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (EURēCA!) Program, University of Colorado Denver (spring 2025)
David Talavera, Undergraduate Anthropology Student, University of Colorado Denver (fall 2024)
Rae McGregor, Undergraduate Anthropology Student (graduated December 2024) University of Colorado Denver (fall 2024)
Cade Bagely, Undergraduate Anthropology Student (graduated May 2024) University of Colorado Denver (spring 2025)
Mac Ervin, Undergraduate Anthropology Student (graduated May 2024) and Student Assistant in the Education Through Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (EURēCA!) Program, University of Colorado Denver (2023-2024)
Madjelyn De Jesus, Undergrate Film Student (graduate May 2024) and Student Assistant in the Education Through Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (EURēCA!) Program, University of Colorado Denver (2023-2024)
Toni Yanez, Undergraduate Anthropology Student (graduated May 2024) and Student Assistant in the Education Through Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (EURēCA!) Program, University of Colorado Denver (2023-2024)
Contact
Marty Otañez, Principal Investigator, Associate Professor, Anthropology Department, University of Colorado Denver, marty.otanez@ucdenver.edu (LinkTree)
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