Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Compounds for Substance Use Disorders.
Tamara Valdez, Valbhi Patel, Nattaphone Senesombath, Zayd Hatahet-Donovan, Mary G. Hornick
Pharmaceuticals November 5, 2024 DOI: 10.3390/ph17111484 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psilocybin Ketamine Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) 3 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Ayahuasca Ibogaine Peyote |
| Topics | Ayahuasca Ibogaine Ketamine LSD Mescaline Psilocybin Addiction MDMA |
| Keywords | 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Psychedelic drugs Drug depen |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Psychedelics show promise as therapeutics for substance use disorders, but further research is needed. |
Abstract
Psychedelics have recently (re)emerged as therapeutics of high potential for multiple mental health conditions, including substance use disorders (SUDs). Despite early mid-20th century anecdotal reports and pilot studies demonstrating the possibility of these substances in efficaciously treating conditions such as alcohol and opioid use disorders, legal restrictions and social stigma have historically hindered further research into this area. Nevertheless, concurrent with the rise in SUDs and other mental health conditions, researchers have again turned their attention to these compounds, searching for differing pharmacological targets as well as more holistic treatments that might increase patient adherence and efficacy. The aim of this review is to examine the emerging evidence-based data with regards to the therapeutic treatment of SUDs with the psychedelic compounds psilocybin, ketamine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), ayahuasca, ibogaine and peyote.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ayahuasca for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayahuasca: Psychological and Physiologic Effects, Pharmacology and Potential Uses in Addiction and Mental Illness | 2018 | Review | |
| Developments in harmine pharmacology — Implications for ayahuasca use and drug-dependence treatment | 2012 | Review | |
| The Use of Classic Hallucinogens/Psychedelics in a Therapeutic Context: Healthcare Policy Opportunities and Challenges | 2021 | Review | |
| Can psychedelic compounds play a part in drug dependence therapy? Patients with substance dependency | 2015 | Review | |
| Advances in Psychedelic Medicine | 2019 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- A systematic review and narrative summary of the therapeutic potential of classic serotonergic psychedelics for smoking cessation and reduction Journal of Psychopharmacology July 11, 2025
- Psychedelics and Mental Health in Endurance Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 20, 2026
- The Emerging Neurobiology of Psychedelics: Critical Periods, Metaplasticity, and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling. Annual Review of Neuroscience July 1, 2026
Cites 73
- Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews June 26, 2018
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine June 1, 2021
- Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Journal of Psychopharmacology September 11, 2014
- Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse July 21, 2016
and 68 more in the library