Research Suggests Psilocybin Mushrooms Could Help Heavy Drinkers Quit

Research Suggests , Psilocybin Mushrooms , Could Help Heavy Drinkers Quit.

ABC reports that a new study found the compound in psychedelic mushrooms may help heavy drinkers cut back or quit entirely.

ABC reports that a new study found the compound in psychedelic mushrooms may help heavy drinkers cut back or quit entirely.

The results were determined through the most rigorous research into the affects of psilocybin on alcoholism to date.

Psilocybin, which is found in several species of mushrooms, can cause vivid hallucinations.

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It has long been used by indigenous people in healing rituals, and now scientists are also exploring whether it can ease depression or help longtime smokers kick the habit.

It has long been used by indigenous people in healing rituals, and now scientists are also exploring whether it can ease depression or help longtime smokers kick the habit.

Currently, psilocybin is still illegal in the United States, however Oregon and several cities have decriminalized it.

Currently, psilocybin is still illegal in the United States, however Oregon and several cities have decriminalized it.

Beginning in 2023, Oregon will allow its supervised use by licensed facilitators.

Participants in the recent study were administered psilocybin or a placebo in two separate sessions bridged by 12 sessions of therapy.

Participants in the recent study were administered psilocybin or a placebo in two separate sessions bridged by 12 sessions of therapy.

During the eight months after the first session, patients who received the psilocybin did significantly better than the other group.

During the eight months after the first session, patients who received the psilocybin did significantly better than the other group.

Almost half of the group that took psilocybin stopped drinking entirely, compared with 24% of the control group.

Almost half of the group that took psilocybin stopped drinking entirely, compared with 24% of the control group.

More parts of the brain are talking to more parts of the brain.

There’s a possibility of really shifting in a relatively permanent way the functional organization of the brain, Dr. Michael Bogenschutz, director of the NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, via ABC.

The team's research was published in 'JAMA Psychiatry' on August 24