Psilocybin prevents reinstatement of alcohol seeking by disrupting the reconsolidation of alcohol-related memories.
Psychopharmacology July 1, 2023 F Benvenuti, D Colombo, L Soverchia et al. 14 citations
In a rat model of alcohol use disorder, psilocybin did not reduce alcohol consumption, prevent relapse after forced abstinence, or block cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. However, when administered during a memory retrieval-reconsolidation paradigm, psilocybin markedly attenuated the resumption of alcohol seeking. These findings suggest that psilocybin may be effective for disrupting the reconsolidation of alcohol-related memories, opening possibilities for clinical use where patients recall alcohol memories and then receive psilocybin during the reconsolidation phase.