Journal of the neurological sciences
September 15, 2022
Sabrina Correa Da Costa, Tyler Oesterle, Teresa A Rummans et al.
21 citations
Existing psychiatric drugs often work slowly, have limited effectiveness, and cause side effects. Recent human studies with psychedelics such as psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD show rapid and lasting clinical benefits for conditions like alcohol use disorder, anxiety, and depression in terminal illness. These compounds have been used in spiritual ceremonies for millennia, and early research suggested their therapeutic potential. After a research pause following the 1970 Controlled Substance Act, interest revived in the 1990s. Although preliminary findings are encouraging, current evidence is insufficient for routine clinical use; long-term safety and efficacy remain unclear, and ongoing trials aim to clarify these questions. This article provides an overview of the evidence to date.
Brain Sci
September 28, 2025
Sabrina Correa da Costa, Nicholas L. Bormann, Tyler Oesterle et al.
3 citations
Substance use disorders affect over 48.5 million Americans, and available treatments often fail even with adequate adherence. This overview of 16 systematic reviews examined evidence on serotonergic psychedelics and ketamine for treating substance use disorders. Preliminary evidence suggests these compounds may offer advantages over traditional treatments and could eventually become part of next-generation therapies under specific circumstances. However, significant challenges remain: high risk of bias and methodological limitations in existing studies warrant caution, and associated risks are not negligible. The use of psychedelic drugs for substance use disorders remains experimental, and current evidence is insufficient to support clinical practice.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
August 25, 2024
Mark A. Frye, Balwinder Singh, Scott Breitinger et al.
2 citations
A man with alcohol use disorder (AUD) maintained sobriety while taking an SSRI and naltrexone, but stopped the SSRI to take part in a psilocybin ceremony, after which he relapsed to alcohol use. The case examines factors that likely contributed to the relapse, including the discontinuation of the SSRI, the context of the psilocybin experience, and the absence of structured follow-up care.