Journal of Psychopharmacology
August 13, 2024
Kim Madden, Breanne Flood, Darren Young Shing et al.
13 citations
A systematic scoping review of clinical indications for psilocybin identified 193 published and 80 ongoing studies. Most studies had small sample sizes, with a median of 22 participants and 18 who had taken psilocybin. Only 12% were randomized controlled trials, while 37% were systematic reviews. The most common indication studied was depression (28%), followed by substance use (14%), mental health in life-threatening illness (9%), headaches (6%), depression and anxiety (6%), obsessive-compulsive disorder (3%), and anxiety disorders (3%). Thirty-eight percent of studies reported at least one potential conflict of interest. The authors conclude there is a need for high-quality randomized trials and to expand consideration to other promising indications, such as chronic pain.
medRxiv
June 1, 2026
Erica J. Li, Basmah Mosharraf, Hiba Ali et al.
In a survey of 295 adults with musculoskeletal pain attending a hospital orthopaedic clinic, most perceived psilocybin as moderately to highly effective for pain (76%) and expressed moderate-to-high willingness to try microdoses (58%) or macrodoses (53%) of psilocybin for pain. Prior non-therapeutic psychedelic use was the strongest predictor of willingness to try a macrodose (B=3.16) or microdose (B=2.82), while pain severity had a small but significant effect. Only 3% had discussed psychedelics with a healthcare provider, and health risks were the primary concern (33%). The findings suggest neutral-to-positive perceptions, with gaps in patient knowledge and health concerns as key barriers to address in future trials.
The American journal of psychiatry
February 1, 2026
Jane Metrik, Elizabeth R Aston, Rachel L Gunn et al.
Smoking cannabis acutely reduces alcohol consumption in people who drink heavily and use cannabis at least twice weekly. In a double-blind crossover trial, 157 participants were randomized to smoke cannabis cigarettes with 7.2% THC, 3.1% THC, or placebo (0.03% THC) across three days. After smoking, they were exposed to alcohol cues and given a choice to consume alcohol. Those who smoked 3.1% THC reduced alcohol consumption by 19%, and those who smoked 7.2% THC reduced it by 27%, compared to placebo. No significant effects on overall craving were found, though the higher dose reduced alcohol urge immediately after smoking. Further research on various cannabinoids is needed to inform alcohol treatment guidelines.
Cannabis
November 26, 2024
Anna Marie Froude, Nikki Pangborn, Phillip Britz-McKibbin et al.
Cannabis beverages, legalized in Canada in 2019, produce different acute and long-term effects than dried flower or edible products due to distinct absorption and processing in the body. A systematic review of 29 studies found that healthy, infrequent users experienced aversive subjective and physiological effects after consuming cannabis beverages. Many products also had inaccurate cannabinoid labeling, posing consumer risks. The research highlights the limited and inconsistent evidence on cannabis beverages, compounded by the wide variety of formulations, and underscores the need for more direct studies on their safety and effects.