Emerging Interventions in Behavioral Addictions: A Narrative Review of Psychedelics and Neuromodulation.
Krista Ulisse, Jehad Albitar, Jourdan Aromin, James H. Berry
Brain Sci September 12, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci15090980 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy Neuromodulation |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy Addiction |
| Keywords | Psychedelics & neuromodulation Brain stimulation Novel treatments Alternative therapies Innovative interventions Behavioral addictions Compulsive behaviors Problem gambling Internet addiction Impulse control disorders Addictive behaviors Addiction treatment Rehabilitation Recovery Therapeutic interventions Substance abuse treatment Therapeutic innovation Emerging therapies Breakthrough treatments Advanced interventions |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and neuromodulation may facilitate recovery in behavioral addictions by targeting disrupted reward, executive control, and stress regulation networks. |
Abstract
Addiction remains a persistent public health crisis, marked by poor treatment retention and limited pharmacotherapy options. Emerging treatments, such as psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and neuromodulation, offer promising avenues for circuit-level interventions in behavioral addictions. This narrative review synthesizes the current landscape of psychedelic compounds and neuromodulation techniques with a focus on their mechanisms of action, applications in specific behavioral addictions, and translational potential. By targeting disrupted reward, executive control, and stress regulation networks, these interventions may facilitate meaningful recovery and long-term remission in otherwise treatment refractory cases. We highlight key findings, current research limitations, and future directions in integrating these novel therapies into the treatment of gambling disorder; internet gaming disorder/gaming disorder, predominantly online; internet use disorder; and compulsive sexual behavior disorder.