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- Psychedelic Journal Watch
Psychedelic Journal Watch
Keeping health professionals abreast of the latest research in psychedelic medicine
I. 5-MeO-DMT for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
5-MeO-DMT is safe, tolerable and may reduce alcohol cravings and consumption, according to Addiction.
In this open-label, phase 2, proof-of-concept trial, 12 participants received one intranasal dose of 5-MeO-DMT in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
After 12 weeks, 6 participants (50%) were abstinent, and 3 participants (25%) demonstrated significant reduction in alcohol consumption. The most common side-effects from the treatment were nasal pain, transient elevation in blood pressure, flashbacks, nightmares, and nausea. There were no serious adverse events.
According to the authors, “[5-MeO-DMT] with CBT has the potential to be a new treatment option for people with AUD. Additional efficacy data are needed, supporting the case for controlled clinical trials.”
II. Predictors of Positive Response to Psychedelic Therapy
Having a mystical-type experience is the most frequently reported predictor of therapeutic response to psychedelic therapy, according to the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
This systematic review included 54 studies investigating predictors of therapeutic response to psychedelic-assisted therapy for various mental health and substance-use disorders.
The most frequently reported predictor of therapeutic response was intensity of the psychedelic experience, particularly a mystical-type experience (MTE). Set, setting and dose were associated with MTEs.
According to the authors, “ The acute psychedelic experience, especially MTEs, was the most frequently reported predictor of therapeutic response. Future trials should explore a broader range of predictors, include longer-term follow-up and improve methodological consistency to strengthen the evidence base for reliable predictors of therapeutic response.”
III. Psilocybin for Migraine Prevention
One dose of psilocybin reduces migraine frequency, but did not fare better than an active placebo, according to Headache.
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study, 18 adults with frequent migraines received either diphenhydramine or one or two doses of psilocybin.
There was a 50% reduction in migraine frequency in all groups over the course of 8 weeks.
According to the authors, “The potential for psilocybin to serve as a … treatment in migraine remains but will require careful planning in future studies to separate drug and non-drug effects. Furthermore, the inclusion of headache specialists in the design and execution of these future studies is necessary to preserve the viability of psilocybin treatment in headache medicine.”
In 1934, Bill W., founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, experienced a psychedelic vision after being given belladonna and praying for release from alcoholism, leading to a spiritual conversion and sobriety.
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