Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Compounds for Substance Use Disorders.

Psychedelics are reemerging as potential treatments for substance use disorders (SUDs), including alcohol and opioid use disorders. Early mid-20th century anecdotal reports and pilot studies suggested these compounds could be effective, but legal restrictions and stigma halted research. With rising rates of SUDs and other mental health conditions, researchers are again investigating psychedelics for their unique pharmacological targets and holistic treatment potential. This review examines emerging evidence for treating SUDs with psilocybin, ketamine, LSD, MDMA, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and peyote.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psychedelics have recently (re)emerged as therapeutics of high potential for multiple mental health conditions, including substance use disorders (SUDs). Despite early mid-20th century anecdotal reports and pilot studies demonstrating the possibility of these substances in efficaciously treating conditions such as alcohol and opioid use disorders, legal restrictions and social stigma have historically hindered further research into this area. Nevertheless, concurrent with the rise in SUDs and other mental health conditions, researchers have again turned their attention to these compounds, searching for differing pharmacological targets as well as more holistic treatments that might increase patient adherence and efficacy. The aim of this review is to examine the emerging evidence-based data with regards to the therapeutic treatment of SUDs with the psychedelic compounds psilocybin, ketamine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), ayahuasca, ibogaine and peyote.