A single dose of psilocybin, the active ingredient found in so-called "magic mushrooms," could help cocaine addicts break the cycle of use, a new study suggests.
Global cocaine use reached record levels in 2023, with the number of users increasing significantly during the pandemic. In the UK, cocaine remains one of the most widely used illegal drugs, second only to cannabis.
There are currently no approved medications for the treatment of cocaine addiction or other stimulant-related disorders. The mainstay of support for users remains cognitive-behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that aims to change harmful thoughts and behaviors.
In recent years, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin have shown potential in treating a number of mental health problems, including alcohol and tobacco addiction. Now, researchers say it may offer hope for people addicted to cocaine as well.
The new study, published in JAMA Network Open, followed 40 cocaine users in the United States for about six months. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one received a single dose of psilocybin, while the other received a placebo antihistamine. Both groups were supported by licensed therapists.
The results showed that people who took psilocybin were more likely to stay off cocaine than those who took a placebo. To be included in the study, participants had to be over 25 years old, have used cocaine on at least four days in the past month, and have a desire to quit.
People who were being treated with antidepressants for other mood disorders, those with high blood pressure or a history of bipolar disorder were excluded from the study.
Before the main phase began, participants underwent up to five psychotherapy sessions and were required to remain cocaine-free for seven days. Then, during one full daily session, they took either psilocybin or placebo in capsule form, followed by five more therapy sessions. Follow-up assessments were conducted 90 and 180 days after the last therapy session.
According to the researchers, people who took psilocybin along with psychotherapy were less likely to relapse to cocaine use and had more days free of the drug.
The study's lead author, Dr. Peter Hendricks of the University of Alabama, said the findings are particularly important at a time when overdose deaths involving stimulants are on the rise in the US.
Cocaine-related deaths are also on the rise globally, and addicts often find it very difficult to control impulsive behaviors. Unlike cocaine, psilocybin does not act on the same receptors, but instead alters the state of consciousness, usually during a controlled therapeutic session. The idea is that this altered state can help users gain a new perspective and change behavior.
"These findings may represent an important step in the treatment of cocaine use disorder, a condition for which there are no approved pharmacotherapies and where psychosocial interventions are limited," said Dr. Hendricks.
However, experts warn that more research is needed. The underrepresentation of vulnerable groups in previous trials has been a persistent concern, especially since data show that cocaine use is strongly associated with criminal convictions and recidivism. This is particularly evident among low-income and black men in the US, who made up the majority of participants in this study.
Experts commenting on the findings said the results come at a critical time, amid the overdose crisis and mental health issues. However, Professor Erin Bonar, a licensed clinical psychologist, stressed that new treatments should be effective not only for addiction but also for depression, a common symptom of cocaine withdrawal. According to her, this study does not yet prove that.
She added that great caution is needed in using psilocybin as a potential treatment, to avoid increasing uncontrolled use of psychedelic substances and adverse effects on vulnerable people seeking help.
Cocaine remains one of the most widely used illegal drugs in Britain, despite its reputation as a middle-class “party drug.” In reality, it is used across all social and economic strata.
It is also considered one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death. Studies show that combining cocaine with alcohol can increase the risk by up to 25 times. /GazetaExpress/
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