Abstract

Background: Following clinical trials on psilocybin for the treatment of pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with cancer, scientific interest emerged in its use for substance use disorders.

Methods: In this review of the literature, we summarize available trials looking at the use of psilocybin in addiction.

Results: One double-blind, randomized clinical trial looked at the effect of psilocybin on heavy drinking in adults diagnosed with alcohol dependence. Several trials are currently ongoing to assess psilocybin’s efficacy in the management of different substance use disorders. Otherwise, the current evidence is insufficient to derive any conclusions on the possible efficacy of psilocybin in substance use disorders.

Conclusions: More well-powered, blinded, randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of psilocybin in addiction while identifying the appropriate conditions that promote its safe use.