Psilocybin for alcohol use disorder: Rationale and design considerations for a randomized controlled trial.
Kelley C O'Donnell, Sarah E. Mennenga, Lindsey T. Owens, Samantha K. Podrebarac, Tara Baron, John Rotrosen, Stephen Ross, Alyssa A. Forcehimes, Michael P. Bogenschutz
Contemporary Clinical Trials December 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.106976 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Double-blind Open-label Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 96 |
| Population | Alcohol-dependent volunteers |
| Interventions | Psilocybin Diphenhydramine |
| Dose | 25 mg/70 kg psilocybin or 50 mg diphenhydramine |
| Duration | 12-week psychotherapy platform, two dosing sessions at weeks 4 and 8, follow-up through week 36 |
| Topics | Addiction Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Alcohol Clinical trial design Addiction treatment Clinical research Substance abuse Psilocybin studies |
| Citations | 24 |
| Key findings | The paper describes the protocol and rationale for a randomized trial testing psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol dependence, with primary outcomes to be reported elsewhere. |
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest that classic psychedelics (5-HT2A receptor agonists or partial agonists) such as psilocybin might facilitate behavior change in individuals with substance use disorders. We conducted a multi-site, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in alcohol-dependent volunteers. In addition to a structured 12-week psychotherapy platform, participants (n = 96) were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either oral psilocybin or an active placebo (oral diphenhydramine) in each of two dosing sessions (at weeks 4 and 8). Initial doses were 25 mg/70 kg psilocybin or 50 mg diphenhydramine, which could be increased in the second session depending on initial response. The psychotherapy platform combined evidence-based, manualized therapy for alcohol dependence with a supportive context for the dosing sessions. All participants were followed in the RCT through week 36. At the end of the RCT, participants who still met safety criteria were offered an open-label psilocybin session. Data collected at screening, baseline and throughout the study included: demographics, measures of alcohol use, subjective response to psilocybin and diphenhydramine, and safety measures. The primary outcome was the proportion of heavy drinking days during the 32 weeks after the first dosing session (i.e., between week 4 and week 36). Secondary outcomes included safety, additional measures of drinking (e.g., abstinence, drinking days, etc.), craving, self-efficacy, and acute effects. We will also explore moderators and mediators of the primary outcome. The primary outcomes will be published elsewhere. In this paper, we describe the protocol and rationale for our design decisions.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin for addiction, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 20
- Reports of self-compassion and affect regulation in psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors June 5, 2023
- Mind the Psychedelic Hype: Characterizing the Risks and Benefits of Psychedelics for Depression Psychoactives April 16, 2024
- Medications for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence—Current State of Knowledge and Future Perspectives from a Public Health Perspective International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health January 19, 2023
- Multidimensional Personality Changes Following Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: Results From a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial American Journal of Psychiatry 2025
- Psilocybin reduces heroin seeking behavior and modulates inflammatory gene expression in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex of male rats Molecular Psychiatry October 21, 2024
and 15 more in the library
Cites 26
- 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
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
and 21 more in the library