Psilocybin & Alcohol Use Disorder:
A Breakthrough in Healing
In today’s edition of Weekly Mind Watering, we’re revisiting psilocybin’s transformative potential when it comes to treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
With encouraging research emerging from NYU and UC San Francisco, psilocybin-assisted therapy is once again offering deeper insights mental health conditions that have stubbornly resisted treatment for decades.
If you’ve been curious about the intersection of psychedelic research and addiction recovery, today’s edition is for you!
The First Study:
A Leap Towards Lasting Freedom
Typically, the most effective smoking cessation drug, varenicline, has a 6-month success rate of roughly 35%.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found an intentional combination of psilocybin and cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, created 6-month success rates of 80%.
The study’s participants, long-term smokers who had repeatedly tried and failed to quit using conventional methods like nicotine patches and gums, found new hope in this novel therapy.
They reported profound experiences that empowered them to reexamine—and most importantly, change—deep-rooted behaviors.
“Quitting smoking isn’t a simple biological reaction to psilocybin. …psilocybin can lead to deep reflection about one’s life and spark motivation to change.”
– Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D. and lead author of the study
The 12-Month Follow-Up
The long-term follow-up study by the same Johns Hopkins research team offered a deeper insight into psilocybin therapy’s lasting impact.
Remarkably, 60% of participants maintained their smoke-free status well beyond the initial six months, with some reporting continuous abstinence for over a year.
This sustained success rate is significantly higher than those observed in traditional smoking cessation programs, which often see relapse rates climbing over time.
Participants described their experience as among the most meaningful of their lives, attributing to it significant improvements in their:
- Self-image
- Outlook on life
- Emotional well-being
- And interpersonal relationships
These profound shifts point to the therapy’s role in breaking the cycle of addiction, offering a lasting escape from nicotine’s grip.
The Science Behind The Magic
Ever wonder how psilocybin works its wonders?
It’s like flipping a switch in your brain that’s gotten stuck in the “on” position for smoking.
Imagine psilocybin as a skilled electrician.
It knows how to expertly disrupt the flow of electricity to your “smoking switch”, essentially dimming your urge to light up.
This interruption provides a unique opportunity for change, making the brain more receptive to new patterns of thought and behavior.
While your craving circuit was offline, CBT steps in like a renovation team.
It helps you navigate through the now-accessible pathways of your brain, installing new, healthier habits and thought processes.
Final Thoughts
Psilocybin’s success in breaking smoking habits is another promising sign of a brighter tomorrow. With evidence mounting surrounding psilocybin’s ability to improve and/or treat:
- - Depression and anxiety
- - Various forms of PTSD
- - Alcoholism and opioid abuse
- - And our general sense of well-being…
We should expect to see psilocybin continue to gain attention for its potential to guide humanity toward a future free from the grip of addiction.
Ready to Learn More?
Watch Matthew Johnson present:
"Psilocybin-Facilitated Treatment for Addiction: Smoking Cessation"
To the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies – (MAPS)
