Magic mushrooms, psilocybin, alcoholism and relapses

A psychedelic mushroom compound has helped people addicted to alcohol reduce their consumption or quit drinking altogether, according to a study published Wednesday, August 24, in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

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While more research is needed to prove its long-term efficacy, it is the most rigorous study ever conducted on the use of psilocybin to treat alcoholism.

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What is psilocybin?

Psilocybin, found in several species of mushrooms, can cause hours of vivid hallucinations. This compound is banned in the United States. However, the state of Oregon will soon allow its use only with a medical license.

Indigenous peoples have used it in healing rituals and scientists are also studying whether it can alleviate depression or help smokers quit.

Brain connections may be the key

Although it is not known exactly how it works, researchers believe that this compound increases brain connections and, at least temporarily, changes the way the brain organizes itself.

"More parts of the brain communicate with other parts of the brain," explained Mr.Bogenschutz, director of NYU Langone's Center for Psychedelic Medicine, which led the research, estimates that "there is the possibility of relatively permanently changing the functional organization of the brain."

The patients received the compound and talk therapy.

There were 93 patients who tried this revolutionary treatment against alcoholism with this psychedelic mushroom compound. Once they took a psilocybin capsule -and a placebo-, they lay on a couch with their eyes covered, while listening to music with headphones. To that was added talk therapy.

Participants received two sessions one month apart and 12 sessions of talk therapy. Those patients who received psilocybin reduced excessive alcohol consumption by 83% relative to their alcohol consumption before the study began and had better abstinence outcomes than the groups receiving a placebo.

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Abstinence for two years

Before enrolling in the study in 2018, Mary Beth Orr, 69, drank five to six glasses of wine every night, and much more on weekends. "The amount was unacceptable, and yet I couldn't stop," she recounted.

After receiving this treatment, Orr said she stopped drinking completely for two years, and now has a glass of wine every now and then. She said she found the psilocybin more helpful than the talk therapy.

Side or unwanted effects

Some patients who received psilocybin had more headaches, nausea, and anxiety than those who received the dummy drug. One person reported suicidal thoughts during a psilocybin session.

For this very reason, further research is needed to determine whether such a treatment is safe: "It's tempting, absolutely. Is more research needed? Yes. Is it ready for a large audience? No," said Mark Willenbring, former director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

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