Psilocybin-induced changes in neural reactivity to alcohol and emotional cues in patients with alcohol use disorder: an fMRI pilot study
Broc A. Pagni, Petros Petridis, Samantha K. Podrebarac, Jack Grinband, Eric D. Claus, Michael P. Bogenschutz
Scientific Reports February 7, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52967-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot study; randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 11 |
| Population | Adult patients with alcohol use disorder |
| Interventions | Psilocybin Diphenhydramine |
| Dose | 25 mg of psilocybin, 50 mg of diphenhydramine |
| Duration | fMRI approximately 3 days before and 2 days after intervention |
| Topics | Psilocybin Addiction |
| Keywords | Prefrontal cortex Insular cortex Supramarginal gyrus Cue reactivity Placebo Craving Hallucinogen Audiology |
| Citations | 30 |
| Registration | NCT02061293 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin increased prefrontal cortex and caudate activity and decreased insular, motor, and cerebellar activity in response to alcohol and emotional cues, suggesting enhanced goal-directed action and diminished craving. |
Abstract
Abstract This pilot study investigated psilocybin-induced changes in neural reactivity to alcohol and emotional cues in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Participants were recruited from a phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) for the treatment of AUD (NCT02061293). Eleven adult patients completed task-based blood oxygen dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) approximately 3 days before and 2 days after receiving 25 mg of psilocybin (n = 5) or 50 mg of diphenhydramine (n = 6). Visual alcohol and emotionally valanced (positive, negative, or neutral) stimuli were presented in block design. Across both alcohol and emotional cues, psilocybin increased activity in the medial and lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and left caudate, and decreased activity in the insular, motor, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices, and cerebellum. Unique to negative cues, psilocybin increased supramarginal gyrus activity; unique to positive cues, psilocybin increased right hippocampus activity and decreased left hippocampus activity. Greater PFC and caudate engagement and concomitant insula, motor, and cerebellar disengagement suggests enhanced goal-directed action, improved emotional regulation, and diminished craving. The robust changes in brain activity observed in this pilot study warrant larger neuroimaging studies to elucidate neural mechanisms of PAT. Trial registration : NCT02061293.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin for addiction, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 29
- Psilocybin for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease Frontiers in Neuroscience July 10, 2024
- Single-dose psilocybin therapy for alcohol use disorder: Pharmacokinetics, feasibility, safety and efficacy in an open-label study Journal of Psychopharmacology February 28, 2025
- Early psilocybin intervention alleviates behavioral despair and cognitive impairment in stressed Wistar rats Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 2025
- Efficacy and safety of psilocybin for the treatment of substance use disorders: A systematic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews June 1, 2025
- The Emergence of Psilocybin in Psychiatry and Neuroscience Pharmaceuticals April 9, 2025
and 24 more in the library
Cites 29
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine November 3, 2022
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Psychopharmacology November 8, 2017
and 24 more in the library