Classic and non‐classic psychedelics for substance use disorder: A review of their historic, past and current research
Fúlvio Rieli Mendes, Cristiane Dos Santos Costa, Victor Distefano Wiltenburg, Gabriela Morales-Lima, João Ariel Bonar Fernandes, Renato Filev
Addiction Neuroscience June 22, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100025 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Non-systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Current fluid Psychoanalysis |
| Citations | 55 |
| Key findings | Moderate evidence supports psilocybin and ketamine for alcohol use disorder, ketamine for opiate and alcohol withdrawal, and THC preparations for reducing withdrawal in cannabis and possibly opioid use disorder, though results for other psychedelics remain inconclusive. |
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a global public health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. Considering current research, addiction has been noted as the last stage of a chronic disease that may impair brain reward circuit responses and affects personal and social life. Treatments for SUD face challenges including availability and limited pharmacological response, often resulting in low retention of patients. A growing number of studies from the ‘psychedelic renaissance’ have highlighted the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for several psychiatric disorders, including SUD. In this non-systematic review we discuss past and current clinical and observational studies with classic (LSD, DMT, psilocybin and mescaline) and non-classic (ibogaine, ketamine, MDMA, salvinorin A and THC) psychedelics for the treatment of SUD published until December 2021. Although results are still inconclusive for LSD, DMT, mescaline, MDMA and Salvinorin A, in general, the literature presents moderate evidence on the controlled use of psilocybin and ketamine for Alcohol Use Disorder, ketamine for management of opiate and alcohol withdrawal, and THC preparations for reducing withdrawal symptoms in Cannabis and possibly in Opioid Use Disorder. Importantly, studies suggest that psychedelics should be more effective when employed as an adjunct therapy. Extensive research is warranted to further elucidate the role of psychedelics in the treatment of SUD.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketamine use: a review Ketamine users | 2011 | Systematic review | |
| Mindfulness Meditation for Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review Individuals with substance use disorders | 2009 | Systematic review | |
| Mindfulness-Based Interventions for the Treatment of Substance and Behavioral Addictions: A Systematic Review | 2018 | Systematic review | |
| Ketamine for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders: comprehensive systematic review | 2021 | Systematic review | |
| Therapeutic Use of LSD in Psychiatry: A Systematic Review of Randomized-Controlled Clinical Trials Patients with psychiatric disorders, primarily alcoholism | 2020 | Systematic review | n = 567 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 50
- Mechanisms and molecular targets surrounding the potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics. Molecular Psychiatry September 1, 2023
- Mini-review: The neurobiology of treating substance use disorders with classical psychedelics Frontiers in Neuroscience April 17, 2023
- Set and setting predict psychopathology, wellbeing and meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences: a correlational study. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology 2024
- Alterations in brain network connectivity and subjective experience induced by psychedelics: a scoping review Frontiers in Psychiatry May 14, 2024
- Psilocybin’s effects on cognition and creativity: A scoping review Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2023
and 45 more in the library
Cites 170
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Journal of Psychopharmacology September 11, 2014
- Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 3, 2002
and 165 more in the library