Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Substance Use Disorders and Potential Mechanisms of Action.
Nathalie M. Rieser, Marcus Herdener, Katrin H. Preller
Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2022 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2021_284 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction LSD Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Mechanism of action Sud |
| Key points | Argues that the clinical mechanisms of action of psychedelics in treating substance use disorders are not well understood, and proposes that induced neuroplasticity, altered brain network connectivity, reward and emotion processing, social connectedness, insight, and mystical experiences may inform psychotherapeutic embedding. Contends that developing and testing psychotherapeutic approaches that maximize synergy with substance effects is critical for evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapy for addiction. |
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) represent a significant public health issue with a high need for novel and efficacious treatment options. In light of this high unmet need, recent results reporting beneficial outcomes of psychedelic-assisted therapy in SUD are particularly relevant. However, several questions remain with regard to this treatment approach. The clinical mechanisms of action of psychedelic substances in the treatment of SUD are not well understood. Closing this knowledge gap is critical to inform and optimize the psychotherapeutic embedding of the acute substance administration. In this chapter, we discuss potential mechanisms that have implications on psychotherapeutic approaches including induced neuroplasticity, alterations in brain network connectivity, reward and emotion processing, social connectedness, insight, and mystical experiences. Furthermore, we outline considerations and approaches that leverage these mechanisms in order to optimize the therapeutic embedding by maximizing synergy between substance effects and psychotherapy. Understanding the mechanisms of action, developing psychotherapeutic approaches accordingly, and evaluating their synergistic efficacy in scientific studies will be critical to advance the framework of psychedelic-assisted therapy for addiction, create evidence-based approaches, and achieve the best treatment outcome for patients with SUD.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on LSD and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches as Default | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Flashback: psychiatric experimentation with LSD in historical perspective. | 2005 | Historical analysis | |
| LSD therapy in Dutch psychiatry: changing socio-political settings and medical sets. | 2002 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Psychedelics and psychotherapy in Canada: Humphry Osmond and Aldous Huxley. | 2018 | Historical analysis | |
| Psychedelic crossings: American mental health and LSD in the 1970s. | 2019 | Historical analysis |
Citations in the library
Cited by 26
- Psilocybin-assisted therapy for relapse prevention in alcohol use disorder: a phase 2 randomized clinical trial EClinicalMedicine March 14, 2025
- Psychedelic Experience October 26, 2023
- Exploring psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder Frontiers in Psychiatry March 14, 2023
- The potential of 5‐methoxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A first look at therapeutic mechanisms of action Addiction Biology April 1, 2024
- Psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe alcohol use disorder: protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 7-month parallel-group phase II superiority trial. BMC Psychiatry January 26, 2024
and 21 more in the library
Cites 53
- 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-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
and 48 more in the library