Journal of Psychopharmacology
July 1, 2023
Oliver Rumle Hovmand, Emil Deleuran Poulsen, Sidse Arnfred et al.
52 citations
A systematic review of clinical trials on classical psychedelics (psilocybin, peyote, ayahuasca/DMT, and LSD) for psychiatric conditions found that all but one of the ten included trials were rated as high risk of bias. The trials predominantly enrolled white, highly educated participants, had small sample sizes, and experienced considerable dropout. Blinding was either unsuccessful or not reported regardless of the type of placebo used. Few trials published protocols, statistical analysis plans, or measures of psychotherapy fidelity. The authors suggest that future trials use parallel-group designs with active placebos in psychedelic-naïve populations, publish protocols and analysis plans, employ blinded clinician-rated outcomes, evaluate blinding, and measure expectancy and therapeutic fidelity.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
November 16, 2023
Oliver Rumle Hovmand, Emil Deleuran Poulsen, Sidse Arnfred
31 citations
Classical psychedelics such as psilocybin, peyote, ayahuasca, and LSD can temporarily alter consciousness, affecting perception, mood, and sense of self. Reliable measurement tools are needed because the acute subjective experience may influence treatment outcomes. A review of 93 trials identified 17 different rating scales used to assess these altered states. The five most common instruments were the Five-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness Questionnaire, visual analog or Likert scales developed for specific trials, the Hallucinogen Rating Scale, the States of Consciousness Questionnaire, and the Abnormer Psychischer Zustand. The authors recommend developing a core set of outcome measures to allow comparisons across different psychedelics, participants, and settings, and suggest designing instruments that assess the setting of the experience.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
February 28, 2025
Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, Emil Deleuran Poulsen, Marie Katrine Klose Nielsen et al.
15 citations
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, safely reduced alcohol consumption in ten adults with severe alcohol use disorder. Over 12 weeks, heavy drinking days fell by 37.5 percentage points and drinks per day dropped by 3.4. Participants also reported rapid and lasting decreases in craving and increases in self-efficacy. Peak blood levels of the drug varied widely among individuals, from 14 to 59 µg/L. The open-label, single-group design lacked a placebo control, so larger randomized trials are needed to confirm the findings.
Research Square
August 23, 2024
Mathias E. Jensen, Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, Catharina Messell et al.
1 citation
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, given with preparation and integration sessions, reduced alcohol consumption in ten adults with severe alcohol use disorder. Heavy drinking days dropped by 37.5 percentage points over 12 weeks, and drinks per day decreased by 3.4 units. Participants also reported rapid and lasting reductions in craving and increased self-efficacy. Blood levels of the active metabolite psilocin varied widely between individuals, peaking from 14 to 59 µg per liter. The open-label study, which lacked a placebo group, suggests that even a single psilocybin session may be safe and effective, but larger randomized controlled trials are needed.