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Current Psychopharmacology

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ISSN (Print): 2211-5560
ISSN (Online): 2211-5579

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Review Article

Psilocybin in the Management of Substance Use Disorders: A Summary of Current Evidence

Author(s): Hussein El Bourji, Aziz Farhat, Zahi Hamdan, Ritvij Satodiya, Rashmi Shukla and Samer El Hayek*

Volume 12, 2024

Published on: 03 July, 2024

Article ID: e030724231519 Pages: 9

DOI: 10.2174/0122115560288779240628043307

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Following clinical trials on psilocybin for the treatment of pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with cancer, scientific interest emerged in its use for substance use disorders.

Methods: In this review of the literature, we summarize available trials looking at the use of psilocybin in addiction.

Results: One double-blind, randomized clinical trial looked at the effect of psilocybin on heavy drinking in adults diagnosed with alcohol dependence. Several trials are currently ongoing to assess psilocybin’s efficacy in the management of different substance use disorders. Otherwise, the current evidence is insufficient to derive any conclusions on the possible efficacy of psilocybin in substance use disorders.

Conclusions: More well-powered, blinded, randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of psilocybin in addiction while identifying the appropriate conditions that promote its safe use.

Keywords: Psilocybin, psychedelic, hallucinogen, addiction, substance use disorder, premature mortality.

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