Psilocybin for treating substance use disorders?

Figures & data

Table 1. Evidence table summarizing the results of human studies on the use of psilocybin for treating substance use disorders. Participants in both studies received similar doses of psilocybin, however, at different timepoints after the start of PST.

Author	Type of SUD	Sample size	Follow-up period	Results	Administration procedure
(Bogenschutz et al. [33])	Alcohol dependence	n = 10	Weeks 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36	Significant reduction in percentage drinking days and heavy drinking days	Session 1: 4 weeks after PST 0.3 mg/kg Session 2: 8 weeks after PST 0.4 mg/kg
(Johnson et al. [34])	Tobacco dependence	n = 15	Weeks 2–15, 6-month follow-up	80% abstinence at 6-month follow-up	Session 1: 5 weeks after PST 0.29 mg/kg Session 2: 7 weeks after PST 0.43 mg/kg Session 3: 13 weeks after PST 0.43 mg/kg

PST: Psychosocial treatments; SUD: substance use disorders.

Figure 1. Chemical structures of psilocybin, psilocin, and its endogenous analogue serotonin. Edited from Stebelska [52].

Table

1.	Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than meant to
2.	Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to do so
3.	Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance
4.	Cravings and urges to use the substance
5.	Not managing to do what you should at work, home, or school, because of substance use
6.	Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships
7.	Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of substance use
8.	Using substances again and again, even when it puts you in danger
9.	Continuing to use, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the substance
10.	Needing more of the substance to get the effect you want (tolerance)
11.	Development of withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by taking more of the substance

Bogenschutz MP, Forcehimes AA, Pommy JA, et al. A pilot study of psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: acute effects and short-term alcohol use, self-efficacy, and craving. Alcoholism-Clinical Exp Res. 2014;38:155a–155a.

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Johnson MW, Garcia-Romeu A, Cosimano MP, et al. Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction. J Psychopharmacol. 2014;28:983–992.

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Stebelska K. Fungal hallucinogens psilocin, ibotenic acid, and muscimol: analytical methods and biologic activities. Ther Drug Monit. 2013;35(4):420–442.

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