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- Psychedelic Journal Watch
Psychedelic Journal Watch
Keeping health professionals abreast of the latest research in psychedelic medicine
I. Psilocybin for Cocaine Use Disorder
Psilocybin shows potential as a treatment for cocaine use disorder, according to JAMA.
In this randomized, quadruple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 40 individuals with cocaine use disorder were given one large dose of psilocybin or active placebo with psychotherapy.
Individuals who received psilocybin were more likely to demonstrate abstinence from cocaine and a higher percentage of days without cocaine 180 days after treatment.
According to the authors, “in this randomized clinical trial, psilocybin appeared to be safe and efficacious for treating cocaine use disorder among individuals from underrepresented and vulnerable populations. Further research is warranted to replicate and expand these findings.”
II. Psychedelic Effects on Personality
Psychedelics increase openness and decrease neuroticism, according to the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
In this systematic review involving 48 studies, classic psychedelic effects on personality traits were measured.
Increases in Openness and decreases in Neuroticism were consistently found, especially with psilocybin and ayahuasca. Changes in Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness varied across studies.
According to the authors, “classic psychedelics seem to promote lasting personality changes, most consistently increasing Openness and reducing Neuroticism. Future research would benefit from combining experimental and naturalistic designs, using longer follow-up periods and more diverse personality models to better understand the interplay between psychedelics and personality.”
III. Microdosing Psychedelics
There is no good evidence that microdosing improves mood or cognition, according to the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
In this umbrella review, involving 14 studies and 1,614 participants, microdosing effects on mood and cognition were evaluated.
There were no significant changes in cognition and self-reported mood benefits were largely attenuated in controlled conditions.
According to the authors, “current evidence does not support cognitive enhancement through microdosing; the only consistent controlled finding runs counter to popular claims: microdosing was associated with a small but reliable impairment of cognitive control.”
Psychedelics were banned globally in 1971 with the United Nations’ Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
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