Classic hallucinogens in the treatment of addictions.
Michael P. Bogenschutz, Matthew W Johnson
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry January 4, 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.03.002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | LSD psilocybin-assisted treatment |
| Dose | high-dose LSD |
| Topics | Addiction LSD Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Treatment |
| Key findings | A meta-analysis of controlled trials indicates that high-dose LSD produces a consistent, clinically significant benefit in treating alcoholism, while recent pilot studies of psilocybin-assisted treatment for nicotine and alcohol dependence showed strikingly positive outcomes that still require controlled trials. The authors argue that mystical or other meaningful experiences are currently the strongest supported mediators of therapeutic effects. |
Abstract
Addictive disorders are very common and have devastating individual and social consequences. Currently available treatment is moderately effective at best. After many years of neglect, there is renewed interest in potential clinical uses for classic hallucinogens in the treatment of addictions and other behavioral health conditions. In this paper we provide a comprehensive review of both historical and recent clinical research on the use of classic hallucinogens in the treatment of addiction, selectively review other relevant research concerning hallucinogens, and suggest directions for future research. Clinical trial data are very limited except for the use of LSD in the treatment of alcoholism, where a meta-analysis of controlled trials has demonstrated a consistent and clinically significant beneficial effect of high-dose LSD. Recent pilot studies of psilocybin-assisted treatment of nicotine and alcohol dependence had strikingly positive outcomes, but controlled trials will be necessary to evaluate the efficacy of these treatments. Although plausible biological mechanisms have been proposed, currently the strongest evidence is for the role of mystical or other meaningful experiences as mediators of therapeutic effects. Classic hallucinogens have an excellent record of safety in the context of clinical research. Given our limited understanding of the clinically relevant effects of classic hallucinogens, there is a wealth of opportunities for research that could contribute important new knowledge and potentially lead to valuable new treatments for addiction.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on LSD 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 | |
| Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine | 2017 | Review | |
| The Past and Future of Psychedelic Science: An Introduction to This Issue | 2019 | Review | |
| Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychedelics: Alternative and Potential Therapeutic Options for Treating Mood and Anxiety Disorders | 2022 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 175
- 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
- Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Journal of Humanistic Psychology June 19, 2017
- A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogue with therapeutic potential. Nature 2021
- Crystal structure of an LSD-bound human serotonin receptor Cell January 26, 2017
- Predicting Responses to Psychedelics: A Prospective Study Frontiers in Pharmacology November 2, 2018
and 170 more in the library
Cites 61
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- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
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and 56 more in the library