An online survey of tobacco smoking cessation associated with naturalistic psychedelic use

A survey of 358 people who quit or reduced smoking after using a psychedelic (like psilocybin or LSD) in a non-laboratory setting at least one year earlier found that 38% reported continuous smoking cessation, with 74% of those abstinent for over two years. Another 28% reported a lasting reduction in smoking, from a median of 300 cigarettes per month before to 1 per month after. The remaining 34% temporarily reduced smoking but relapsed, typically within 3–6 months. Those who relapsed rated their psychedelic experience as less personally meaningful and spiritually significant than the other groups. Across all groups, participants reported less severe withdrawal symptoms like depression and craving after psychedelic use compared with past quit attempts. Changes in life priorities and values were cited as the most important psychological factor.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Data suggest psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may hold therapeutic potential in the treatment of addictions, including tobacco dependence. This retrospective cross-sectional anonymous online survey characterized 358 individuals (52 females) who reported having quit or reduced smoking after ingesting a psychedelic in a non-laboratory setting ⩾1 year ago. On average, participants smoked 14 cigarettes/day for 8 years, and had five previous quit attempts before their psychedelic experience. Of the 358 participants, 38% reported continuous smoking cessation after psychedelic use (quitters). Among quitters, 74% reported >2 years’ abstinence. Of the 358 participants, 28% reported a persisting reduction in smoking (reducers), from a mode of 300 cigarettes/month before, to a mode of 1 cigarette/month after the experience. Among reducers, 62% reported >2 years of reduced smoking. Finally, 34% of the 358 participants (relapsers) reported a temporary smoking reduction before returning to baseline smoking levels, with a mode time range to relapse of 3–6 months. Relapsers rated their psychedelic experience significantly lower in personal meaning and spiritual significance than both other groups. Participants across all groups reported less severe affective withdrawal symptoms (e.g. depression, craving) after psychedelic use compared with previous quit attempts, suggesting a potential mechanism of action for psychedelic-associated smoking cessation/reduction. Changes in life priorities/values were endorsed as the most important psychological factor associated with smoking cessation/reduction. Results suggest psychedelics may hold promise in treating tobacco addiction as potentially mediated by spiritual experience, changed priorities/values, and improved emotional regulation.