Psychedelics as a potential treatment for tobacco use disorder: a systematic review.
S K Spoelstra, Robert A Schoevers, S D Venema, H Knegtering
Discover Mental Health September 17, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-024-00095-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Smoking cessation Addiction treatment Psilocybin research Behavioral health |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | Limited evidence suggests psilocybin may offer a potential avenue for treating tobacco use disorder, but more research is needed to understand effectiveness and safety. |
Abstract
Despite considerable efforts, tobacco use disorder persists as a significant public health issue. The effectiveness of current smoking cessation therapies is limited, leading to a growing interest in alternative treatment approaches such as psychedelics. The aim of this review is to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the role of psychedelics in smoking cessation. To identify relevant literature on psychedelics and smoking cessation, a search was conducted in four academic literature databases PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase. Databases were searched from their inception up to March 24, 2024. Out of the 1073 articles identified in databases, 8 publications (both clinical and non-clinical studies) met the inclusion criteria, of which a total of 4 publications originated from a single study. The majority of the studies focused on psilocybin (n = 7), for which supportive evidence was suggested for the treatment of tobacco use disorder. Additionally, research was conducted with other psychedelics for smoking cessation, such as ayahuasca, mescaline, peyote, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), lysergic acid amide (LSA) and (dimethyltryptamine (DMT), but the evidence base for these psychedelics is too small to draw definitive conclusions. There is, although limited, evidence that psychedelics, in particular psilocybin, may offer a potential avenue for combating tobacco use disorder, though more research is needed to understand their effectiveness and safety fully.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy | 2020 | Systematic review | |
| Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions | 2022 | Systematic review | |
| Psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants in studies of psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms (Major... | 2023 | Systematic review with meta-analysis | n = 14 |
| Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Patients diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses or major depressive disorder | 2023 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 686 |
| Treating posttraumatic stress disorder with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy: A preliminary meta-analysis and comparison to prolonged exposure therapy Patients with PTSD | 2016 | Meta-analysis |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Neuropsychopharmacology of hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A receptor agonists. British Journal of Pharmacology May 23, 2025
- Comprehensive analysis of 42 psilocybin-producing fungal strains reveals metabolite diversity and species-specific clusters. Scientific Reports April 22, 2025
- The Role of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. Brain Sciences September 28, 2025
- Psychedelics and Mental Health in Endurance Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 20, 2026
- Psychedelics for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders SUCHT - Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis / Journal of Addiction Research and Practice December 1, 2025
and 3 more in the library
Cites 28
- Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Journal of Psychopharmacology September 11, 2014
- Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse July 21, 2016
- Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder JAMA Psychiatry August 24, 2022
- The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science December 10, 2020
- Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Neuropsychopharmacology January 26, 2019
and 23 more in the library