The New England journal of medicine
November 3, 2022
Guy M Goodwin, Scott T Aaronson, Oscar Alvarez et al.
1,095 citations
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, but not 10 mg, reduced depression scores more than a 1 mg control dose over three weeks in adults with treatment-resistant depression. In this phase 2 trial, 233 participants were randomly assigned to 25 mg, 10 mg, or 1 mg of synthetic psilocybin with psychological support. The 25 mg group showed an average 12-point drop on the MADRS depression scale versus a 5.4-point drop in the 1 mg group, a significant difference. The 10 mg group did not differ significantly from control. Response and remission rates at three weeks supported the primary result, but sustained response at 12 weeks was not significantly different.
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors
June 5, 2023
Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Elizabeth M Nielson, Michael Zingman et al.
42 citations
In a small qualitative study of the first randomized controlled trial of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder, participants reported that the treatment helped them process emotions tied to painful past events, fostered self-compassion, self-awareness, and feelings of interconnectedness. The acute drug sessions laid the groundwork for more self-compassionate regulation of negative affect. Participants also described newfound belonging and improved relationship quality. The findings suggest psilocybin increases the malleability of self-related processing, reduces shame and self-critical thoughts, improves affect regulation, and lowers alcohol cravings, indicating that integrating self-compassion training with psychedelic therapy may enhance AUD treatment outcomes.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
June 10, 2025
Torsten Passie, Anja Loizaga-Velder, Alicia Danforth et al.
4 citations
A consensus-based model curriculum for education and training in substance-assisted psychotherapy (SAP) covers theoretical topics and practical components including apprenticeship observation, ongoing clinical supervision, and self-experience for trainees. The model, developed by authors with extensive SAP experience, also addresses peer and conventional supervision, respect for intercultural differences, and teachings about indigenous use of related substances. It is largely adapted to western industrialized countries with established graduate-level psychotherapy training. The curriculum may be valuable for psychedelic researchers, those training therapists for research studies, and those preparing for clinical work outside research settings.