Current perspectives on the research and medical use of psychedelic drugs for alcohol addiction treatment

Background

Mental health disorders and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in particular, contribute greatly to the global burden of disease. Psychedelics, including entactogens and dissociative substances, are currently being explored for the treatment of AUD, yet with less empirical clinical evidence than for other mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD.

Methods

In this review, the current clinical research evidence, therapeutic potential and safety of psychedelics psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, MDMA and ibogaine, is discussed, particularly in the context of the AUD treatment, together with the societal impact of the medicalization of these substances, with the aim to provide a balanced overview of the current research and findings on potential benefits and harms of psychedelics in clinical settings for AUD treatment.

Results

There is growing evidence of the efficacy and safety of psychedelic assited therapies in treating Alcohol Use Disorder, but also major limitations in clinical research to be addresed.

Conclusions

There is an urgent need for more clinical research in this particular treatment area, and urge caution to minimize the risks of the widespread use of these substances outside of controlled settings.