Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction
Mary P Cosimano, Matthew W. Johnson, Albert Garcia‐romeu, Roland R. Griffiths
Journal of Psychopharmacology September 11, 2014 DOI: 10.1177/0269881114548296 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Open-label pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Psychiatrically healthy nicotine-dependent smokers |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | 20 mg/70 kg and 30 mg/70 kg |
| Duration | 15-week treatment protocol, 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Addiction Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Nicotine Smoking cessation Abstinence Craving |
| Citations | 910 |
| Key points | 80% of participants showed seven-day point prevalence abstinence at 6-month follow-up after psilocybin-assisted smoking cessation treatment. |
Abstract
Despite suggestive early findings on the therapeutic use of hallucinogens in the treatment of substance use disorders, rigorous follow-up has not been conducted. To determine the safety and feasibility of psilocybin as an adjunct to tobacco smoking cessation treatment we conducted an open-label pilot study administering moderate (20 mg/70 kg) and high (30 mg/70 kg) doses of psilocybin within a structured 15-week smoking cessation treatment protocol. Participants were 15 psychiatrically healthy nicotine-dependent smokers (10 males; mean age of 51 years), with a mean of six previous lifetime quit attempts, and smoking a mean of 19 cigarettes per day for a mean of 31 years at intake. Biomarkers assessing smoking status, and self-report measures of smoking behavior demonstrated that 12 of 15 participants (80%) showed seven-day point prevalence abstinence at 6-month follow-up. The observed smoking cessation rate substantially exceeds rates commonly reported for other behavioral and/or pharmacological therapies (typically <35%). Although the open-label design does not allow for definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy of psilocybin, these findings suggest psilocybin may be a potentially efficacious adjunct to current smoking cessation treatment models. The present study illustrates a framework for future research on the efficacy and mechanisms of hallucinogen-facilitated treatment of addiction.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for 4 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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12 of 15 participants (80%) showed seven-day point prevalence abstinence at 6-month follow-up, a rate exceeding typical behavioral or pharmacological cessation rates.
Synthesized
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State of the evidence: Addiction Supports
12 of 15 participants (80%) showed seven-day point prevalence abstinence at 6-month follow-up, a rate exceeding those typically reported for other behavioral or pharmacological therapies.
Synthesized
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State of the evidence: Psilocybin Supports
Twelve of 15 participants (80%) showed seven-day point prevalence abstinence at 6-month follow-up after psilocybin-assisted smoking cessation treatment.
Synthesized
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State of the evidence: Serotonin Supports
80% of participants showed seven-day point prevalence abstinence at 6-month follow-up after psilocybin-assisted smoking cessation treatment.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on psilocybin for addiction, most cited first.