Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:A recent open-label pilot study (N = 15) found that two to three moderate to high doses (20 and 30 mg/70 kg) of the serotonin 2A receptor agonist, psilocybin, in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for smoking cessation, resulted in substantially higher 6-month smoking abstinence rates than are typically observed with other medications or CBT alone. OBJECTIVES:To assess long-term effects of a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation program at ?12 months after psilocybin administration. METHODS:The present report describes biologically verified smoking abstinence outcomes of the previous pilot study at ?12 months, and related data on subjective effects of psilocybin. RESULTS:All 15 participants completed a 12-month follow-up, and 12 (80%) returned for a long-term (?16 months) follow-up, with a mean interval of 30 months (range = 16-57 months) between target-quit date (i.e., first psilocybin session) and long-term follow-up. At 12-month follow-up, 10 participants (67%) were confirmed as smoking abstinent. At long-term follow-up, nine participants (60%) were confirmed as smoking abstinent. At 12-month follow-up 13 participants (86.7%) rated their psilocybin experiences among the five most personally meaningful and spiritually significant experiences of their lives. CONCLUSION:These results suggest that in the context of a structured treatment program, psilocybin holds considerable promise in promoting long-term smoking abstinence. The present study adds to recent and historical evidence suggesting high success rates when using classic psychedelics in the treatment of addiction. Further research investigating psilocybin-facilitated treatment of substance use disorders is warranted.

SUBMITTER: Johnson MW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5641975 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature