Psilocybin in the Management of Substance Use Disorders: A Summary ofCurrent Evidence
Hussein El Bourji, Aziz Farhat, Zahi Hamdan, Ritvij Satodiya, Rashmi Shukla, Samer El Hayek
Current Psychopharmacologye July 4, 2024 DOI: 10.2174/0122115560288779240628043307 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin Addiction |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Substance use Current fluid |
| Key findings | Current evidence is insufficient to derive any conclusions on the possible efficacy of psilocybin in substance use disorders. |
Abstract
Background: Following clinical trials on psilocybin for the treatment of pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with cancer, scientific interest emerged in its use for substance use disorders.
Methods: In this review of the literature, we summarize available trials looking at the use of psilocybin in addiction
Results: One double-blind, randomized clinical trial looked at the effect of psilocybin on heavy drinking in adults diagnosed with alcohol dependence. Several trials are currently ongoing to assess psilocybin’s efficacy in the management of different SUDs. Otherwise, the current evidence is insufficient to derive any conclusions on the possible efficacy of psilocybin in substance use disorders.
Conclusions: More well-powered, blinded, randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of psilocybin in addiction while identifying the appropriate conditions that promote its safe use.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents Animal models and cellular studies | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine | 2017 | Review | |
| DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Psilocybin | 2018 | Review | |
| Psilocybin for treating substance use disorders? | 2016 | Narrative review |