Hallucinogenic potential: a review of psychoplastogens for the treatment of opioid use disorder
Frontiers in Pharmacology – August 22, 2023
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Current medicine struggles with the opioid epidemic, leaving many with Opioid use disorder. However, a compelling shift in Psychiatry and Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggests hallucinogens offer a potent new approach to addiction. These compounds, often derived through chemical synthesis, demonstrate unique pharmacology and profound neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, addressing both the physical opioid dependence and underlying psychology. This novel medicine, including alternatives to treatments like buprenorphine, could provide a holistic path for recovery, moving beyond the limited efficacy of existing therapies.
Abstract
The United States is entering its fourth decade of the opioid epidemic with no clear end in sight. At the center of the epidemic is an increase in opioid use disorder (OUD), a complex condition encompassing physical addiction, psychological comorbidities, and socioeconomic and legal travails associated with the misuse and abuse of opioids. Existing behavioral and medication-assisted therapies show limited efficacy as they are hampered by lack of access, strict regimens, and failure to fully address the non-pharmacological aspects of the disease. A growing body of research has indicated the potential of hallucinogens to efficaciously and expeditiously treat addictions, including OUD, by a novel combination of pharmacology, neuroplasticity, and psychological mechanisms. Nonetheless, research into these compounds has been hindered due to legal, social, and safety concerns. This review will examine the preclinical and clinical evidence that psychoplastogens, such as ibogaine, ketamine, and classic psychedelics, may offer a unique, holistic alternative for the treatment of OUD while acknowledging that further research is needed to establish long-term efficacy along with proper safety and ethical guidelines.