Psychedelic Drug Therapy Can Treat Alcoholism, Study Finds

news 11 september featured

Science News

Researchers at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine showed how psychedelic drug therapy can be successfully used to treat alcohol addiction. The study is published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

The Study

The researchers recruited 93 participants, men and women, with alcohol dependence. They were given 12 psychotherapy sessions and were randomly assigned to receive either two doses of psilocybin (a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms) or an antihistamine placebo.

For the next few weeks, they were asked to report their heavy drinking urges and the days they drank considerably.

The Findings

The results revealed that participants who received psychedelic treatment experienced a considerable reduction in heavy drinking urges. In fact, psilocybin reduced heavy drinking by 83% in heavy drinkers.

One of the lead authors, Michael Bogenschutz, elaborated: “Our findings strongly suggest that psilocybin therapy is a promising means of treating alcohol use disorder, a complex disease that has proven notoriously difficult to manage.

To Know More You May Refer To

Bogenschutz, M. P., Ross, S., Bhatt, S., Baron, T., Forcehimes, A. A., Laska, E., Mennenga, S. E., O’Donnell, K., Owens, L. T., Podrebarac, S., Rotrosen, J., Tonigan, J. S., & Worth, L. (2022). Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA psychiatry, 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.2096. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.2096

Up Next

Amanda Bynes Placed on Psychiatric Hold After An Ended Conservatorship

Amanda Bynes Placed on Psychiatric Hold

Recently, actor Amanda Bynes was placed on psychiatric hold for roaming naked and alone in public.

Her hospitalization has raised questions about the physical and mental well-being of child stars in Hollywood.

In the late 1990s and the 2000s, American actress Amanda Bynes was the ultimate Hollywood “It Girl”, having starred in a string of successful romantic comedies like “What a Girl Wants” (2003), “She's the Man” (2006), “Hairspray” (2007), and “Easy A” (2010).

However, in the 2010s, she decided to take a hiatus from her promising acting career. Soon after, her troubles started.

Amanda Bynes Mental Hea


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Live-In Relationships And Mental Health —The Debate And Its Implications

Live-In Relationships And Mental Health

There is much debate around live-in relationships and mental health.

Experts contend that this link can be positive or negative, depending on the cohabiting couples’ perspectives and circumstances.

What Are Live-in Relationships?

A live-in relationship or cohabitation is a type of intimate relationship where two people choose to live together as partners without getting married. The partners are often involved in a romantic or sexually intimate relationship on a long-term or permanent basis.

Live-in relationships are becoming increasingly prevalent in


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Do Modern Femininity Pose Challenges?

Do Modern Femininity Pose Challenges

Modern femininity espouses a break from the traditional gender roles assigned to women.

However, research claims that the modern feminine lifestyle comes with its own challenges.

What Is Modern Femininity?

Modern femininity is a term that refers to the contemporary concept of what it means to be a woman in today's society. It is characterized by a set of values and behaviors that are often considered to be different from the traditional gender-defined roles that women have played in the past.


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Is Neurodiversity In The Workplace A Professional Advantage?

Neurodiversity In The Workplace

Neurodiversity generally refers to diversity in the human brain and cognition.

Research shows that neurodiversity in the workplace yields a better work culture and employee turnover.

What Is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity refers to the recognition that people have natural variations in the way their brains work. This may include differences in sensory processing, learning styles, and social interaction.

What Is Neurodiversity In The Workplace?


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Away With Action Hero Stereotypes: Bruce Willis Has Dementia

Bruce Willis Has Dementia

In February 2023, it was reported that Hollywood actor Bruce Willis has dementia.

The news of Willis’ illness reignited the conversation around dementia awareness.

In 2020, reports accused Bruce Willis of “Die Hard” fame of unprofessionalism on film sets. The accounts stated that he appeared confused and had to be fed lines through an earpiece.

In some cases, the directors and screenwriters reduced his roles and abbreviated his dialogues. His films were also panned hard by critics and he stood the risk of being canceled by Hollywood.

However, in early 2022, Willis's family announced his diagnosis with


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Why Amanda Bynes Was Placed on Psychiatric Hold? The Unseen Struggle: Princess Diana’s Battle With An Eating Disorder Iconic Movie Actresses and Histrionic Personality Disorder: Exploring Complexity Hikikomori: Understanding The Japanese Culture-Bound Syndrome Is Brendan Fraser’s Oscar-Win Also A Mental Health Success Story? Are Chefs at Higher Risk of Mental Illness and Suicide? Can A Good Walk In The Woods Clear Your Head? What Is The Link Between Criminality And Sexual Fetishism? Cooking Therapy: Nourishing Our Minds And Souls At The Same Time? Social Media Narcissism And What It Means For Young Adults How Space Travel Induces Depression, Anxiety, And Psychosis In Astronauts? How Do Stock Markets Impact The Mental Health Of Financers?