Recent research reveals psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD could revolutionize the treatment of alcohol use disorder and addiction
Two groundbreaking studies are offering hope for new approaches to treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) and drug addiction, focusing on the potential of psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD. Researchers found that a single dose of psilocybin significantly reduced alcoholism and cravings in patients with severe AUD, while another study highlighted how classic psychedelics could treat various substance use disorders by promoting neuroplasticity in the brain.
Psilocybin's impact on alcohol use disorder
In one study, researchers at the University of Copenhagen, alongside the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Director Nora Volkow, explored the effects of psilocybin on ten adults with severe AUD. The open-label study, published as a preprint on Research Square, found that after a single 25-milligram dose of psilocybin, alcohol consumption significantly decreased for 12 weeks. Participants reported reduced alcohol cravings just one week after the treatment, with sustained improvements up to 12 weeks.
The study found that psilocybin also increased self-efficacy—participants’ confidence in their ability to avoid alcohol. This effect was most notable during the first week after treatment and remained elevated for the entire 12-week period. The research team observed that nine out of ten participants reduced their daily alcohol intake by the fourth week, with seven participants continuing to show reduced drinking at 12 weeks.
While psilocybin had a profound impact on alcohol use, the researchers found no significant changes in depressive symptoms, mindfulness, or psychological flexibility among participants. Still, the study underscored the potential benefits of psychedelic therapy for AUD, aligning with past research that showed reduced cravings and increased resistance to temptation.
The study also suggested that mystical-type experiences induced by psychedelics play a critical role in promoting long-term abstinence from alcohol. These subjective experiences, described as deeply transformative, were associated with a reduction in heavy drinking days and overall alcohol consumption. However, the researchers acknowledged the limitations of their study, including a small sample size, a lack of a control group, and potential biases due to self-referral and media influence.
Despite these limitations, the research provides strong evidence for the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in treating alcohol dependence. Larger, placebo-controlled trials are currently underway to further explore this promising treatment option.
Revolutionizing addiction treatment
The second study, published in Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, analyzed previous research on classic psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD. It concluded that these substances show significant potential for treating drug addiction, particularly alcohol use disorder. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Southern Santa Catarina in Brazil, found that psychedelics enhance neuroplasticity—restructuring the brain’s neural pathways—which may help patients recover from substance use disorders.
The authors noted that psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD do not cause physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms, making them promising options for managing addiction. However, they cautioned that the effects of psychedelic therapy vary widely between individuals, with some patients requiring more than one dose to achieve lasting results.
The growing body of evidence supporting psychedelic-assisted therapy has caught the attention of federal agencies. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently allocated $2.4 million to study the use of psychedelics to treat methamphetamine addiction, a critical focus area given the alarming rise in meth-related overdose deaths. This new funding follows a $1.5 million round awarded by NIDA last year to investigate the role of psychedelics in treating addiction.
Research has also expanded to explore other potential benefits of psychedelics. A 2022 study highlighted by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health found that psilocybin-assisted therapy could reduce heavy drinking days for individuals with AUD. Additionally, earlier studies suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) might help treat substance use disorders involving alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines.
The potential for psychedelic-assisted therapy extends beyond individual substances like psilocybin and LSD. Recent findings indicate that full-spectrum psychedelic mushroom extracts may offer more significant therapeutic effects than isolated, chemically synthesized psilocybin, hinting at an “entourage effect” similar to what is observed in cannabis.
Government agencies, including the Department of Defense’s DARPA, are also exploring psychedelics-related treatments that eliminate the psychedelic trip, focusing on developing medications that can treat depression, anxiety, and substance abuse without causing hallucinogenic side effects.
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