Developmental stuttering involves speech-motor disruptions linked to metabolic and network anomalies in the brain, particularly in the default mode and social-cognitive networks. These networks also influence social anxiety and avoidance, which often accompany persistent stuttering. Psychedelic compounds can modify brain metabolism and connectivity in these networks and have shown clinical benefits for conditions like depression and PTSD that share features such as rumination and social anxiety. Although no controlled trials have been conducted, anecdotal reports suggest psychedelics might alleviate stuttering and its associated symptoms. The authors argue that psychedelics warrant investigation in randomized clinical trials for developmental stuttering.
Veterans with traumatic brain injuries who participated in psilocybin retreats showed improvements in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms four weeks afterward. PTSD scores decreased by 50%, depression scores by 65%, and anxiety scores by 28%. Electroencephalography measurements revealed decreased delta and theta brainwave power in frontal and temporal regions, along with enhanced coherence in alpha and beta bands, suggesting improved cognitive control, emotional processing, and neural communication. The preliminary findings provide a rationale for larger controlled studies.