Psychedelic Treatments for Substance Use Disorder and Substance Misuse: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review.
Raman SharmaRachel BatchelorJacqueline SinPublished in: Journal of psychoactive drugs (2023)
Renewed interest in psychedelic substances in the 21 st century has seen the exploration of psychedelic treatments for various psychiatric disorders including substance use disorder (SUD). This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of psychedelic treatments for people with SUD and those falling below diagnostic thresholds (i.e. substance misuse). We systematically searched 11 databases, trial registries, and psychedelic organization websites for empirical studies examining adults undergoing psychedelic treatment for SUD or substance misuse, published in the English language, between 2000 and 2021. Seven studies investigating treatment using psilocybin, ibogaine, and ayahuasca, alone or adjunct with psychotherapy reported across 10 papers were included. Measures of abstinence, substance use, psychological and psychosocial outcomes, craving, and withdrawal reported positive results, however, this data was scarce among studies examining a wide range of addictions including opioid, nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and unspecified substance. The qualitative synthesis from three studies described subjective experience of psychedelic-assisted treatments enhanced self-awareness, insight, and confidence. At present, there is no sufficient research evidence to suggest effectiveness of any of the psychedelics on any specific substance use disorder or substance misuse. Further research using rigorous effectiveness evaluation methods with larger sample sizes and longer-term follow-up is required.
Keyphrases
- systematic review
- chronic pain
- randomized controlled trial
- case control
- meta analyses
- study protocol
- clinical trial
- autism spectrum disorder
- smoking cessation
- mental health
- pain management
- metabolic syndrome
- type diabetes
- depressive symptoms
- combination therapy
- sleep quality
- replacement therapy
- insulin resistance
- artificial intelligence
- gestational age
- weight loss
- community dwelling