Dr. Darron Smith
Psychedelics and Social Justice: Getting to the Deeper Healing of Systemic Oppression and Inequality
Dr. Darron T. Smith is an associate professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Family Medicine in the MEDEX program. With a commendable legacy of over two decades in healthcare, stemming from his role as a physician assistant and extending to his service as a US Army veteran, Dr. Smith brings a wealth of experience in primary care and psychiatry. His extensive training includes certification as a MAPS-trained MDMA-assisted therapist.
Dr. Smith’s scholarly endeavors critically explore the pervasive influence of racial oppression and systemic inequality across various societal facets, including healthcare, family dynamics, particularly transracial adoption, and broader cultural and political structures. His profound commitment to research is currently channeled into two innovative projects. One investigates the intersections of AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder)-PTSD and the potential therapeutic efficacy of plant-based medicine, while the other delves into race-based trauma, employing neurofeedback z-score brain training as a therapeutic modality.
His work is at the frontier of applied neuroscience, where he rigorously examines the impact of MDMA-assisted therapy and other novel interventions on brainwave activity in individuals grappling with trauma, utilizing state-of-the-art EEG technology. Dr. Smith’s leadership extends to the American Psychedelic Prescribers Association (APPA) and the Chacruna Institute, where he shapes policy on psychedelic medicine as a member of the board of directors.
You can keep up with Darron at instagram.com/dr.darronsmith.