Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Mary R Shen, Dylan E Campbell, Anika Kopczynski et al.
10 citations
A scoping review of eight studies found that ketamine may help reduce opioid cravings and use in people with opioid use disorder and can attenuate precipitated withdrawal symptoms, often as an adjunct to buprenorphine. The review searched two databases, yielding 998 studies, of which eight met inclusion criteria: two on opioid use disorder and six on opioid withdrawal. The evidence is preliminary, and more research is needed before widespread clinical use.
Journal of addiction medicine
May 28, 2025
Sara Prostko, Alexander Wu, Samuel Maddams et al.
2 citations
Among 192 adults with alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, or psychiatric disorders surveyed at a large hospital, 66% had previously tried psychedelics, 72.4% believed psychedelics could help patients with substance use or psychiatric disorders, and 69.8% said they would personally try psychedelic-assisted treatment for such a condition. Willingness to try psychedelic treatment was significantly higher among those who had previously used psilocybin (90.0% vs. 47.8%), MDMA (89.7% vs. 61.2%), or ketamine (100% vs. 65.7%). Participants opposed to psychedelic treatment were more likely to perceive risks including depression, anxiety, heart damage, brain damage, and addiction. The authors conclude that further safety trials and educational interventions are needed.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
March 1, 2026
Veronica Szpak, Samuel Maddams, Amanda Kim et al.
Adults with opioid use disorder who have survived injection-related infections generally support psychedelic-assisted therapy as a treatment for substance use disorders, but they also express concerns. In interviews with 17 participants, common supportive themes included that hospitalization helped them recognize the severity of their disorder, that psychedelic-assisted therapy could foster insight and openness to recovery, and that professional monitoring during sessions was reassuring. Participants also valued addressing underlying mental health issues and the role of spirituality. Concerns centered on the possibility of a "bad trip," adverse effects, relapse risk, and misuse of psychedelics. Further research is needed, especially when standard medications have failed.