Psilocybin Shows Potential for Cocaine Use Disorder
Preliminary research indicates that a single dose of psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, may offer a safe and potential approach for individuals diagnosed with cocaine use disorder (CUD). This significant finding, published in JAMA Substance Use and Addiction by the American Medical Association (AMA), addresses a critical unmet need, as there are currently no medications with established efficacy for CUD, as reported by Marijuana Moment.
Researchers from the University of Alabama, Johns Hopkins University, and the Karolinska Institute conducted a randomised, quadruple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 36 participants who met the diagnostic criteria for CUD. Participants received psychotherapy, incorporating cognitive-behavioral treatment, both before and after an investigational drug treatment session. During this session, participants were randomly assigned either 25 mg of psilocybin per kilogram of body weight or a placebo.
Clinical Trial Outcomes and Participant Diversity
The study’s findings suggest that psilocybin-treated participants demonstrated significantly greater percentages of cocaine-abstinent days, higher rates of complete abstinence from cocaine, and a decreased risk of cocaine lapse over time, compared to the placebo group. Abstinence was verified through urinalysis. The study authors noted, “These findings suggest psilocybin shows potential as a novel approach for cocaine use disorder.”
A notable aspect of this research is the inclusion of participants from demographics historically underrepresented in psychedelic studies, specifically Black individuals and those of lower socioeconomic status. The researchers highlighted that previous reviews found participants in US-based psychedelic trials often had higher socioeconomic status. This study demonstrates that psilocybin treatment can be feasibly implemented with vulnerable populations, expanding the generalisability of the findings, according to Marijuana Moment.
Broader Research into Psychedelic Therapies
Research into the potential role of psilocybin extends beyond cocaine use disorder. Other research has explored its role in managing various conditions:
- A separate AMA study indicated that a single dose of psilocybin combined with therapy is associated with significantly increased long-term abstinence from cigarettes, suggesting a potential role in managing tobacco use disorder.
- Further studies have pointed to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy suggesting reductions in alcohol consumption and high smoking cessation rates, with a potential to assist in managing opioid dependence.
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced funding for studies on psilocybin for methamphetamine use disorders, acknowledging a rise in related overdose deaths. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) also allocated funding for psychedelics and addiction research.
- A 2022 study, highlighted by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), suggested psilocybin may have a role in managing alcohol use disorder, with participants in psilocybin-assisted therapy reporting fewer heavy-drinking days.
Regulatory Landscape and Future Access
Amid growing interest in the potential role of psychedelics in therapy, a bipartisan coalition of 32 members of Congress has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite ongoing reviews of psychedelic therapies. Led by Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Lou Correa (D-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies Caucus, lawmakers expressed encouragement regarding the FDA’s prioritisation of psychedelic approaches, as reported by Marijuana Moment.
The congressional letter to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary sought clarity on several key areas:
- Communication and application of data concerns in pivotal trials.
- Methodological expectations for entactogen- and psychedelic-assisted clinical trials, including strategies to mitigate unblinding and expectancy effects.
- Coordination with federal partners like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to streamline research pathways for veterans with conditions such as PTSD.
- Ensuring qualified experts conduct reviews and maintain consistency, objectivity, and independence in the evaluation process.
- The expected timeline for finalising the FDA’s June 2023 guidance on clinical trials involving rapid-acting novel therapeutics.
These efforts underscore a commitment to ensuring veterans and others with treatment-resistant mental health conditions may access care that is being investigated for its potential benefits and safety. The Trump administration has also explored the potential role of psychedelics such as ibogaine in managing conditions like PTSD and substance use disorder, with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressing a desire to explore pathways for potential access, according to Marijuana Moment’s reporting. While the findings on psilocybin for cocaine use disorder suggest potential, further research is warranted to replicate and expand these results, paving the way for potential new approaches.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
