Can ‘magic mushrooms’ help treat cocaine dependence?
Psychedelic-assisted therapy could open a new path for treating cocaine use disorder, which has no approved medications yet
Researchers have discovered that a single dose of psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms," combined with psychotherapy sessions can reduce cocaine use and lower relapse risk in individuals with cocaine use disorder, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Psilocybin had not been used previously in a clinical trial to treat the disorder.
In a pilot trial, 40 adults with cocaine use disorder received either psilocybin or a placebo and received several psychotherapy sessions before and after the drug was administered. Only 30% of participants who received psilocybin remained abstinent after six months, compared to none in the placebo group. Side effects were mostly temporary emotional distress and blood pressure increases during the drug session, with headaches reported afterward.
The study's limitations include a small sample size and the lack of fully disentangled role of psychotherapy in changing participants' behavior. Despite these limitations, the researchers believe the approach is worth exploring after decades of searching for treatments for addiction.
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