Latinx immigrants account for nearly half of the foreign-born population in the United States, with more than 20 million individuals residing in the country. Although they often arrive with similar overall health to U.S.-born individuals, research shows that over time the cumulative burden of stressors before, during, and after migration—persisting as acculturation stress—frequently leads to a decline in both mental and physical health that worsens with years spent in the U.S. and across generations. Stressors such as discrimination, language barriers, legal concerns, identity conflicts, and social isolation compound risk for depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Despite these needs, Latinx immigrants remain underrepresented in treatment, being 40% less likely to access care and nearly 70% more likely to discontinue services after the first visit.


Acculturation stress undermines psychological well-being and also produces psychoneuroimmunological (PNI) consequences, including dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, disrupted cortisol rhythms, and elevated inflammatory markers such as CRP and IL-6, which increase vulnerability to chronic disease. However, few interventions address both the psychological and biological effects of acculturation.


Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has emerged as a promising approach, with evidence of rapid and sustained improvements in PTSD, depression, and substance use after only one or two treatments. It has also shown potential for alleviating racial trauma, reducing identity-based stigma and shame, and fostering belonging, self-compassion, and stronger ethnic identity among marginalized groups. Early findings further suggest psilocybin may help restore healthy HPA and immune stress responses by promoting neuroplasticity, enhancing network connectivity, and reducing pro-inflammatory biomarkers.


By integrating psychological and biological evidence, this poster presents the potential of a culturally adapted PAP intervention for addressing acculturation stress and its associated health consequences in Latinx immigrants. It provides a conceptual framework for future research and encourages dialogue on reducing health disparities in underserved communities.