About the Project
Medical psychedelic research has undergone a renaissance in recent years (see Nutt & Carhart-Harris, 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2020.03.020 and Nutt et al. 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2020.03.020 for recent commentaries). Psychedelics include plant medicines such as psilocybin (the active constituent of magic mushrooms), Ayahuasca (a powerful psychedelic used by indigenous populations containing DMT-N,N-dimethyltryptamine-and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, often consumed as a tea), and those made in the laboratory including LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and MDMA (Ecstasy). These medicines are, in recent small scale clinical studies, proving to be very effective for hard to treat conditions such as treatment resistant depression, anxiety and depression that occur in terminal cancer patients, alcohol & tobacco dependence, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and most recently PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder, Krediet et al. 2020 doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyaa018). However, there are a range of conditions for which anecdotal evidence exists, but no clinical work has yet been published (e.g. certain types of trauma) and there is limited insight into the perspectives of those who reportedly use psychedelics to deal with their symptoms. One such area where further research is needed is with survivors of sexual trauma. Sexual abuse is a worldwide health problem. The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated that approximately 700,000 adults (aged 16 to 59) had experienced sexual assault in the 12 months prior to interview (ONS, 2018). Survivors of sexual trauma can experience a range of negative psychological consequences such as PTSD, depression, anxiety and addiction, with a potentially long-term impact on their mental and physical health (Mason & Lodrick, 2013 doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2012.08.015). Existing psychological therapies have varying efficacy (Kim & Kim, 2020 doi:10.1080/01612840.2019.1677830); therefore, it is essential that research continues to inform how we can help individuals to heal from sexual trauma. This study will add to the evidence base to further inform our understanding of the barriers and facilitators to help-seeking amongst survivors, as well as to specifically explore their experiences of using psychedelics. This project will add to the evidence to warrant (or otherwise) clinical study of psychedelic medicine for the treatment of trauma associated with sexual abuse. Our objective is to qualitatively investigate the experiences and perspectives of survivors of sexual trauma regarding the use of psychedelics to treat their symptoms. One key outcome is an improved understanding of psychedelics to treat trauma associated with sexual abuse from the perspectives of survivors themselves.
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Entry Requirements:
Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, at least an upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
UK applicants interested in this project should make direct contact with the Primary Supervisor to arrange to discuss the project further as soon as possible. International applicants (including EU nationals) must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English Language) as outlined before contacting potential supervisors to express an interest in their project. Eligibility can be checked via the University Country Specific information page (https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/country-specific-information/).
If your country is not listed you must contact the Doctoral Academy Admissions Team providing a detailed CV (to include academic qualifications – stating degree classification(s) and dates awarded) and relevant transcripts.
Following the review of your qualifications and with support from potential supervisor(s), you will be informed whether you can submit a formal online application.
To be considered for this project you MUST submit a formal online application form - full details on how to apply can be found on the MRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) website www.manchester.ac.uk/mrcdtpstudentships
Funding Notes
Funding will cover UK tuition fees/stipend only. The University of Manchester aims to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK. We are able to offer a limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the competitive nature of this scheme.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/
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