Psilocybin in Alcohol Use Disorder Maintains Abstinence Efficacy: A Scoping Review
Jacques Suspène, Sarah Huet, Sabine Berteina‐raboin, Amine Benyamina, Patrick Baril, Séverine Morisset‐lopez, Raphaël Serreau
Qeios December 9, 2025 DOI: 10.32388/xcfsag.2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Craving Abstinence Alcohol consumption Hallucinogen Clinical trial Substance use Clinical psychology |
| Key findings | Psilocybin seems to reduce craving for alcohol, but its effect on overall alcohol consumption is less clear. |
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by excessive alcohol consumption. The drugs that are used to treat it often fail to prevent relapse. At the same time, psilocybin is increasingly being investigated for the treatment of various substance use disorders. This review aims to evaluate the results of the most recent clinical trials assessing psilocybin as a treatment for alcohol use disorder. According to these trials, psilocybin seems to reduce craving but its effect on overall alcohol consumption is less clear. There is no doubt that future trials would benefit from larger sample sizes and standardized tests.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 27
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology April 26, 2017
- Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder JAMA Psychiatry August 24, 2022
and 22 more in the library