Psychedelic therapy for smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis of participant accounts
Tehseen Noorani, Albert Garcia‐romeu, Thomas Cody Swift, Roland R. Griffiths, Matthew W. Johnson
Journal of Psychopharmacology June 25, 2018 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118780612 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative follow-up study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Participants who completed a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation pilot study |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Duration | Average 30 months after initial psilocybin sessions |
| Topics | Addiction Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Qualitative research Smoking cessation Thematic analysis Abstinence Clinical psychology Curiosity Psychotherapist Psychological intervention Sobriety |
| Citations | 285 |
| Key findings | Participants perceived vivid insights into self-identity and reasons for smoking, along with persistent feelings of interconnectedness, awe, and curiosity, as key mechanisms leading to smoking cessation, with preparatory counseling and study rapport also seen as vital. |
Abstract
Background: Recent pilot trials suggest feasibility and potential efficacy of psychedelic-facilitated addiction treatment interventions. Fifteen participants completed a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation pilot study between 2009 and 2015.
Aims: The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to identify perceived mechanisms of change leading to smoking cessation in the pilot study; (2) to identify key themes in participant experiences and long-term outcomes to better understand the therapeutic process.
Methods: Participants were invited to a retrospective follow-up interview an average of 30 months after initial psilocybin sessions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 of the 15 participants. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Participants reported gaining vivid insights into self-identity and reasons for smoking from their psilocybin sessions. Experiences of interconnectedness, awe, and curiosity persisted beyond the duration of acute drug effects. Participants emphasised that the content of psilocybin experiences overshadowed any short-term withdrawal symptoms. Preparatory counselling, strong rapport with the study team, and a sense of momentum once engaged in the study treatment were perceived as vital additional factors in achieving abstinence. In addition, participants reported a range of persisting positive changes beyond smoking cessation, including increased aesthetic appreciation, altruism, and pro-social behaviour.
Conclusions: The findings highlight the value of qualitative research in the psychopharmacological investigation of psychedelics. They describe perceived connections between drug- and non-drug factors, and provide suggestions for future research trial design and clinical applications.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for 3 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Participants attributed smoking cessation to vivid insights, persistent interconnectedness, awe, and curiosity, with preparatory counseling and study rapport seen as vital.
Synthesized
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Participants reported vivid insights into self-identity and reasons for smoking, persistent interconnectedness, awe, and curiosity, and credited preparatory counseling and study rapport as vital to abstinence.
Synthesized
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State of the evidence: Addiction Supports
Participants reported vivid insights into self-identity and reasons for smoking, persistent feelings of interconnectedness, awe, and curiosity, and preparatory counseling and study rapport as key mechanisms leading to smoking cessation.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on psilocybin for addiction, most cited first.