Classic Psychedelics in Addiction Treatment: The Case for Psilocybin in Tobacco Smoking Cessation
Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2022 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_327 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | psilocybin |
| Topics | Addiction Cannabis Mescaline Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Psychotherapist Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 31 |
| Key findings | Classic psychedelics are associated with high success rates in preliminary studies for treating alcohol and tobacco use disorders. |
Abstract
This manuscript reviews research suggesting that classic psychedelics (5-HT2A receptor agonists) are effective in treating addictions including tobacco use disorder. I review historical research from the 1950s to 1970s suggesting that classic psychedelics are associated with addiction recovery across pharmacologically distinct drugs of addiction. I then review anthropological reports about ceremonial use of classic psychedelics and epidemiological studies that are consistent with anti-addiction efficacy. I review modern research using psilocybin in the treatment of alcohol use disorder and tobacco use disorder. Both lines of research show high success rates in preliminary studies. General anti-addiction efficacy across a variety of classes of addictive drugs is consistent with the notion that the persisting positive behavior change prompted by psychedelic therapy is due to amplification of psychotherapeutic processes. Future research should examine classic psychedelic treatment of additional substance use disorders including for opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabis, and other disorders broadly characterized as addictions (e.g., obesity, problem gambling, hypersexual disorder). Future research should also explore addiction treatments with other classic psychedelics including LSD, mescaline, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, and yet-to-be-discovered compounds. Experimental research is also needed to test different protocols for the delivery of classic psychedelic therapy for addictions. Given the staggering society costs of substance use disorders, including the mortality caused by tobacco smoking, it is critical that public funding be made available for scientists to follow up on promising early findings of classic psychedelics in addiction treatment. The costs and risks of not conducting such research are too great.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The neuropsychopharmacology of cannabis: A review of human imaging studies | 2018 | Review | |
| Substance-Induced Psychoses: An Updated Literature Review General (substance-induced psychosis) | 2021 | Narrative review | |
| New psychoactive substances of natural origin: A brief review | 2017 | Review | |
| New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) – a Challenge for the Addiction Treatment Services | 2017 | Review | |
| Policy in focus: Is psilocybin the next cannabis? | 2021 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 27
- The varieties of psychedelic law Neuropharmacology December 21, 2022
- Mechanisms and molecular targets surrounding the potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics. Molecular Psychiatry September 1, 2023
- Set and setting predict psychopathology, wellbeing and meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences: a correlational study. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology 2024
- Receptor Binding Profiles for Tryptamine Psychedelics and Effects of 4-Propionoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in Mice ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science March 10, 2023
- A rapid narrative review of the clinical evolution of psychedelic treatment in clinical trials. npj Mental Health Research July 2, 2024
and 22 more in the library
Cites 48
- 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 with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
and 43 more in the library