Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire)
January 17, 2024
Ewen Kervadec, Baptiste Fauvel, Lana Strika-Bruneau et al.
15 citations
A retrospective online survey of 160 individuals who had a psychedelic experience and a drinking habit found that the average number of drinking days per week and scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) decreased significantly afterward. Those who quit or reduced drinking had more severe alcohol use disorder and lower psychological flexibility before the session. The reduction in alcohol use was linked to the intensity of the mystical experience, and psychological flexibility increased more in participants who cut back on drinking. The findings suggest a naturalistic psychedelic experience may be associated with reduced alcohol use and dependency, possibly through mystical experiences and increased psychological flexibility.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry
June 20, 2026
Ewen Kervadec, Pauline Mathieu, Baptiste Fauvel et al.
A French translation of the Altered States of Consciousness (5D-ASC) questionnaire was psychometrically validated using data from 777 participants who recalled a past naturalistic psychedelic experience. The 11-subscale structure showed better fit than higher-order models, though fit indices fell slightly below conventional thresholds. Internal consistency was excellent for global scores (α = 0.95) and satisfactory across subscales (α = 0.63–0.84). Measurement invariance across substance categories was confirmed, with latent factor differences aligning with known pharmacological profiles. The findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the French 5D-ASC's validity, enabling francophone research linking subjective experience to therapeutic outcomes.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Ewen Kervadec, Aurore Bezo, Raphaël Serreau et al.
Ibogaine, a psychedelic compound distinct from psilocybin or LSD, has attracted interest for treating substance use and psychiatric disorders, but clinical evidence remains weak. A narrative review of studies from 1990 to 2025 found 24 studies and 38 case reports. Most positive efficacy data come from uncontrolled, open-label, or retrospective studies with high risk of bias. No double-blind randomized controlled trial has shown ibogaine or its metabolite noribogaine to effectively treat opioid use disorder. One small trial reported significant effects for cocaine use disorder. Observational data suggest possible symptom relief for opioid use disorder, PTSD, or polysubstance dependence, but findings are exploratory. Serious adverse events, especially cardiotoxicity from QT prolongation, pose considerable risk given unproven efficacy. Current evidence is insufficient to support clinical use.