Exploring psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder
Jonathan Brett, Elizabeth Knock, Paul Liknaitzky, Philip Todd Korthuis, Kevin S. Murnane, Christopher R. Nicholas, James C. Patterson, Christopher S. Stauffer
Frontiers in Psychiatry March 14, 2023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1123424 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Methamphetamine Psychotherapist Hallucinogen Psychological intervention Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | No studies have yet been published on psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder, but the review provides rationale and practical considerations for its potential use based on early trial design experience. |
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder is a chronic relapsing condition associated with substantial mental, physical, and social harms and increasing rates of mortality. Contingency management and psychotherapy interventions are the mainstays of treatment but are modestly effective with high relapse rates, while pharmacological treatments have shown little to no efficacy. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is emerging as a promising treatment for a range of difficult-to-treat conditions, including substance use disorders; however, no studies have yet been published looking at psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder. Here we review the rationale for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as a potential treatment for this indication, and describe practical considerations based on our early experience designing and implementing four separate clinical trials of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development | 2018 | Review | |
| Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. | 2016 | Review | |
| Systematized Review of Psychotherapeutic Components of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy | 2021 | Systematized review | |
| The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. | 2022 | Review | |
| Experience of Music Used With Psychedelic Therapy: A Rapid Review and Implications Participants in psychedelic therapy research aged 18–69 with varied backgrounds | 2020 | Rapid review | n = 180 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine dependence: a case report involving daily methamphetamine use Frontiers in Psychiatry December 6, 2024
- Psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder: A pilot open‐label safety and feasibility study Addiction September 20, 2025
- Quantitative and qualitative influences of spiritual connection and natural imagery on perception of art in clinical psychedelic dosing settings. Scientific Reports July 21, 2025
- The purpose of the psychosocial protocol in the psychedelic-assisted therapy: A scoping review Journal of Psychopharmacology June 26, 2026
- A qualitative analysis of participant expectations and experiences of psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder Addiction December 22, 2025
and 3 more in the library
Cites 36
- 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
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
and 31 more in the library