Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use
Albert Garcia‐romeu, Alan K. Davis, Fire Erowid, Earth Erowid, Roland R. Griffiths, Matthew W Johnson
Journal of Psychopharmacology May 14, 2019 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119845793 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 343 |
| Population | Individuals with prior alcohol use disorder who reported cessation or reduction in alcohol use following psychedelic use in non-clinical settings |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Hallucinogens Severe alcohol misuse Problematic alcohol use Reduced alcohol consumption Addiction treatment Positively impact |
| Citations | 286 |
| Key findings | After a naturalistic psychedelic experience, 83% of respondents no longer met criteria for alcohol use disorder, and greater dose, insight, mystical-type effects, and personal meaning were associated with larger reductions in alcohol consumption. |
Abstract
Background: Meta-analysis of randomized studies using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcohol use disorder (AUD) showed large, significant effects for LSD efficacy compared to control conditions. Clinical studies suggest potential anti-addiction effects of LSD and mechanistically-related classic psychedelics for alcohol and other substance use disorders.
Aims: To supplement clinical studies, reports of psychedelic use in naturalistic settings can provide further data regarding potential effects of psychedelics on alcohol use.
Methods: An anonymous online survey of individuals with prior AUD reporting cessation or reduction in alcohol use following psychedelic use in non-clinical settings.
Results: 343 respondents, mostly White (89%), males (78%), in the USA (60%) completed the survey. Participants reported seven years of problematic alcohol use on average before the psychedelic experience to which they attributed reduced alcohol consumption, with 72% meeting retrospective criteria for severe AUD. Most reported taking a moderate or high dose of LSD (38%) or psilocybin (36%), followed by significant reduction in alcohol consumption. After the psychedelic experience 83% no longer met AUD criteria. Participants rated their psychedelic experience as highly meaningful and insightful, with 28% endorsing psychedelic-associated changes in life priorities or values as facilitating reduced alcohol misuse. Greater psychedelic dose, insight, mystical-type effects, and personal meaning of experiences were associated with a greater reduction in alcohol consumption, controlling for prior alcohol consumption and related distress.
Conclusions: Although results cannot demonstrate causality, they suggest that naturalistic psychedelic use may lead to cessation or reduction in problematic alcohol use, supporting further investigation of psychedelic-assisted treatment for AUD.