Psychedelics: From Cave Art to 21st-Century Medicine for Addiction.

Addiction Atypical psychedelics Ceremonial use Classic psychedelics Psychedelic therapy

Journal

European addiction research
ISSN: 1421-9891
Titre abrégé: Eur Addict Res
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 9502920

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
25 Sep 2024
Historique:
received: 18 01 2024
accepted: 25 06 2024
medline: 26 9 2024
pubmed: 26 9 2024
entrez: 25 9 2024
Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

Psychedelic substance use in ritualistic and ceremonial settings dates back as early as 8,500 BCE. Only in recent years, from the mid-20th century, we have seen the re-emergence of psychedelics in a therapeutic setting and more specifically for the treatment of addiction. This article aims to review research over the past 40 years using classic (psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], dimethyltryptamine [DMT], mescaline) and atypical (ketamine, ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) psychedelics for the treatment of addiction. We will start with an overview of the pharmacology and physiological and psychological properties of psychedelic substances from pre-clinical and clinical research. We will then provide an overview of evidence gathered by studies conducted in controlled research environments and naturalistic and ceremonial settings, while we identify the proposed therapeutic mechanisms of each psychedelic substance. Classic and atypical psychedelics show promise as therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of addiction, through the improvement of psychological and physiological symptoms of dependence. A more comprehensive understanding of the ancient and present-day knowledge of the therapeutic potential of psychedelics can facilitate hope for psychedelic therapeutics in the treatment of addiction, especially for individuals who have failed other conventional treatment methods.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Psychedelic substance use in ritualistic and ceremonial settings dates back as early as 8,500 BCE. Only in recent years, from the mid-20th century, we have seen the re-emergence of psychedelics in a therapeutic setting and more specifically for the treatment of addiction. This article aims to review research over the past 40 years using classic (psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], dimethyltryptamine [DMT], mescaline) and atypical (ketamine, ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) psychedelics for the treatment of addiction.
SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS
We will start with an overview of the pharmacology and physiological and psychological properties of psychedelic substances from pre-clinical and clinical research. We will then provide an overview of evidence gathered by studies conducted in controlled research environments and naturalistic and ceremonial settings, while we identify the proposed therapeutic mechanisms of each psychedelic substance.
KEY MESSAGES CONCLUSIONS
Classic and atypical psychedelics show promise as therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of addiction, through the improvement of psychological and physiological symptoms of dependence. A more comprehensive understanding of the ancient and present-day knowledge of the therapeutic potential of psychedelics can facilitate hope for psychedelic therapeutics in the treatment of addiction, especially for individuals who have failed other conventional treatment methods.

Identifiants

pubmed: 39321788
pii: 000540062
doi: 10.1159/000540062
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article Review

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

1-19

Informations de copyright

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Auteurs

Ioanna A Vamvakopoulou (IA)

Division of Brain Sciences, Centre for Psychiatry, Imperial College London, Commonwealth Building, Hammersmith Campus, London, UK, joanna.vamvakopoulou20@imperial.ac.uk.

David J Nutt (DJ)

Division of Brain Sciences, Centre for Psychiatry, Imperial College London, Commonwealth Building, Hammersmith Campus, London, UK.

Classifications MeSH