Dr. Smith earned his Ph.D. from East Carolina University and Master of Science degree from Appalachian State University. During Dr. Smith’s doctoral dissertation, he developed a psychometric scale to measure perceptions of men’s suitability, or fitness, for professional nursing. Dr. Smith also completed a post-graduate certificate in quantitative methods for social and behavioral sciences through ECU’s Psychology Department. His broad interests are in using quantitative methods, including psychometric modeling, latent variable modeling, factor analyses, multi-level modeling, hierarchical linear modeling, and multivariate regression to model relationships. Dr. Smith also has experience with qualitative phenomenological methodology and systematic review methods.
Dr. Smith’s research interests are varied. His primary research interests are focused on 1. health psychology including biobehavioral interventions, determinants, and predictors in health and wellness practices, and secondary prevention strategies in persons living with cardiovascular disease and hypertension with a focused interest in the effects of biobehavioral interventions including mindfulness and contemplative meditative practices, and biofeedback on blood pressure, stress reduction, and depression in cardiovascular disease populations, and 2. psychedelic-assisted therapy using classical serotonergic compounds (5HT2a receptor agonists – LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, & DMT) as interventional modalities for trauma processing, end of life palliative care, and other barriers to mental health and wellness in controlled psychotherapeutic settings, to include psychedelic therapists roles working with clients through all phases of psychedelic experiences. Dr. Smith is also passionate about legislative reform aimed at descheduling psychedelic compounds and educating the public about safety in using psychedelics as an assistive pathway toward holotropism.
Dr. Smith is currently working on research projects in both the cardiovascular/hypertension and psychedelic spaces. He welcomes contact related to research collaboration.
Dr. Smith’s extracurricular interests include scientific writing and studying logic, philosophy (including Hellenistic varieties, Humeanism, skepticism, and causal determinism), Hatha yoga, Vipassana, nondual contemplative meditative philosophies (Hindu and Buddhist sādhanās, Advaita Vedanta and Zen, respectively), psychonautics, and the evolution of human consciousness.