JAMA Psychiatry
August 24, 2022
Michael P. Bogenschutz, Stephen Ross, Snehal Bhatt et al.
668 citations
Two doses of psilocybin, given alongside psychotherapy, substantially reduced heavy drinking in people with alcohol use disorder compared to an active placebo (diphenhydramine) plus psychotherapy. Over 32 weeks, heavy drinking days averaged 9.7% in the psilocybin group versus 23.6% in the placebo group—a mean difference of 13.9 percentage points. Daily alcohol consumption was also lower with psilocybin. No serious adverse events occurred in the psilocybin group. The findings support further research into psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
April 3, 2018
Tara C. Malone, Sarah E. Mennenga, Jeffrey Guss et al.
128 citations
Cancer patients who receive psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy often have personalized experiences that extend beyond their diagnosis, centering on self-compassion, love, acceptance of death, and past trauma. In a double-blind trial, 29 patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression received either psilocybin or niacin with psychotherapy. Psilocybin produced rapid and lasting reductions in anxiety and depression. Detailed accounts of four participants show that while the content of each psilocybin session was unique, common themes emerged. The findings highlight how the subjective effects of psilocybin can address individual spiritual and psychological needs.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
February 20, 2018
Michael P. Bogenschutz, Samantha K. Podrebarac, Jessie H. Duane et al.
125 citations
After a 40-year pause, clinical research on classic hallucinogens for addiction has resumed. An ongoing double-blind placebo-controlled trial tests psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder, building on a small open-label feasibility study. Descriptive case studies of three participants illustrate treatment trajectories. Pivotal moments during psilocybin sessions are individualized, vivid, and memorable, often extending beyond the clinical problem. Participants experienced lasting shifts in self-perception, consciousness, and relationship with alcohol. Experiences of catharsis, forgiveness, self-compassion, and love were as salient as mystical content. Feelings of increased mindfulness, spaciousness, and control over choices and behavior were reported. The treatment elicits highly variable experiences that appear to meet individual needs.
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors
June 5, 2023
Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Elizabeth M. Nielson, Michael Zingman et al.
42 citations
In a small qualitative study of the first randomized controlled trial of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder, participants reported that the treatment helped them process emotions tied to painful past events, fostered self-compassion, self-awareness, and feelings of interconnectedness. The acute drug sessions laid the groundwork for more self-compassionate regulation of negative affect. Participants also described newfound belonging and improved relationship quality. The findings suggest psilocybin increases the malleability of self-related processing, reduces shame and self-critical thoughts, improves affect regulation, and lowers alcohol cravings, indicating that integrating self-compassion training with psychedelic therapy may enhance AUD treatment outcomes.
Spirituality in Clinical Practice
September 1, 2021
Samantha K. Podrebarac, Kelley C. O’donnell, Sarah E. Mennenga et al.
38 citations
No Summary
Contemporary Clinical Trials
December 1, 2022
Kelley C O'Donnell, Sarah E. Mennenga, Lindsey T. Owens et al.
24 citations
Classic psychedelics like psilocybin may help people change their behavior in substance use disorders. This paper describes the protocol for a multi-site, double-blind, randomized controlled trial that tested psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in 96 alcohol-dependent volunteers. Participants received either psilocybin or an active placebo (diphenhydramine) during two dosing sessions, alongside a structured 12-week psychotherapy platform. The primary outcome was the proportion of heavy drinking days over 32 weeks after the first dose. Secondary outcomes included safety, abstinence, craving, and self-efficacy. The primary results are reported elsewhere; this paper focuses on the rationale and design decisions.
PsyArXiv
March 26, 2026
Broc A. Pagni, Stephen Ross, Sarah E. Mennenga et al.
preprint
An open-label extension of a Phase II randomized controlled trial examined the safety and efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder. Participants who had received either psilocybin or placebo in the main trial were offered two open-label psilocybin sessions. The treatment was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events attributed to psilocybin. Heavy drinking days decreased substantially from baseline, and the reduction was sustained through the 32-week follow-up. The findings suggest that psilocybin-assisted therapy may produce durable reductions in alcohol consumption among individuals with alcohol use disorder.
March 17, 2026
Lindsey T. Owens
preprint
Developmental trauma from chronic early-life adversity can disrupt physical, emotional, cognitive, and relational functioning, often leading to coping strategies like dysregulation and attachment insecurity. Holotropic states—accessed through classic psychedelics or holotropic breathwork—may temporarily increase neural plasticity and emotional access, fostering self-awareness and connection. To avoid overwhelm or retraumatization, trauma-informed principles of preparation, pacing, and titration are crucial. Survivors may benefit from low-and-slow approaches emphasizing stabilization, gradual exposure, and extended integration. Psycholytic or hybrid frameworks using lower doses may cultivate emotional tolerance and insight without high-intensity experiences. Preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits, but further research on safety, feasibility, and clinical utility within individualized, phase-oriented care is needed.