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- Psychedelic Journal Watch
Psychedelic Journal Watch
Keeping health professionals abreast of the latest research in psychedelic medicine
I. Psilocybin for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Comorbid Depression
Psilocybin increases abstinence rates and reduces percentage of drinking days in people with alcohol use disorder and depression, according to the Journal of Addiction.
In this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, 30 individuals with severe AUD and depression who recently underwent detoxification, received either two doses of 25mg of psilocybin or 1mg of psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy.
Participants who were in the high-dose psilocybin arm demonstrated significantly higher abstinence rates (55% vs 11%), a significant reduction in percentage of drinking days, and reduced craving frequency at 12 weeks.
According to the authors, “psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy appears feasible, acceptable, and safe in recently detoxified patients with comorbid alcohol use disorder and depression.”
II. Can Psilocybin Extend Lifespan?
Psilocybin promotes increased longevity in aged mice, and psilocin, the active metabolite of psilocybin, extends cellular lifespan, according to npj Aging.
In this study, human fetal lung fibroblasts were treated with psilocin in vitro; and aged mice were treated with psilocybin. Cellular lifespan and mouse longevity were measured.
High dose psilocin treatment led to a 57% increase in cellular lifespan, and psilocybin treated aged mice demonstrated significantly higher survival rates than control mice.
According to the authors, “we provide the first experimental evidence that psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) treatment extends cellular lifespan and psilocybin treatment promotes increased longevity in aged mice, suggesting that psilocybin may be a potent geroprotective agent.”
III. Classic Psychedelics for Smoking Cessation
Psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca demonstrate therapeutic potential for smoking cessation, according to the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
In this systematic review of 8 studies involving classic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, ayahuasca, peyote, and DMT) for smoking cessation, therapeutic potential and risk of bias were assessed.
All studies showed a serious risk of bias; psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca showed preliminary therapeutic potential for treating tobacco use disorder.
According to the authors, “Current literature on psychedelics’ anti-addictive effects on smoking behaviors is promising but limited by weak study designs and low generalizability.”
In search of a "truth serum", the U.S. Army, in 1953, gave LSD to 100 soldiers without consent at Fort Detrick, Maryland--causing severe psychological trauma.
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