Psilocybin-assisted therapy for drug addiction

There is some evidence that suggests psilocybin may have potential therapeutic effects in helping people with drug addiction. Studies have shown that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can help individuals gain a new perspective on their addiction and provide them with insight into the underlying emotional and psychological factors that contribute to their substance abuse.

Clinical Research

One study conducted in 2015 by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that psilocybin-assisted therapy, combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy, was effective in reducing cocaine use in individuals with a history of cocaine dependence.

Another study conducted in 2019 by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that psilocybin-assisted therapy was effective in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms in individuals with opioid addiction.

In October 2024, Imperial College London announced that Imperial researchers will “explore the potential for psilocybin therapy in drug recovery as part of a landmark trial. The trial, led by Imperial College London, will focus on whether psilocybin – the active compound in magic mushrooms – combined with psychological support, can help to prevent relapse in people who have been addicted to opioids such as heroin.”

Research into psilocybin-assisted therapy for addiction treatment has continued to expand in recent years, with studies investigating alcohol dependence, nicotine addiction, and stimulant use disorders.

A 2025 clinical study investigating psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder reported reductions in heavy drinking days, alcohol cravings, and overall alcohol consumption following supervised treatment sessions combined with psychological support. Participants also reported increased confidence in their ability to remain abstinent.

Another 2025 randomized clinical trial examined psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in people with both alcohol use disorder and depressive symptoms. The study found the treatment approach was feasible and well tolerated, with encouraging early signs of reduced relapse risk and improvements in mood.

More recently, a 2026 study published in JAMA Network Open investigated psilocybin-assisted therapy for cocaine addiction. Participants who received psilocybin alongside psychotherapy were more likely to remain abstinent from cocaine use compared to participants receiving placebo treatment. Researchers noted that there are currently no approved medications specifically for cocaine addiction, making these findings particularly important.

Researchers are also continuing to investigate psilocybin-assisted therapy for nicotine dependence, with several earlier studies reporting unusually high smoking cessation rates compared to conventional approaches.

While these findings remain preliminary and additional large-scale studies are still required, the growing body of evidence has increased scientific interest in psilocybin-assisted therapy as a potential new treatment approach for some forms of addiction.

 Important Note

Psilocybin-assisted therapy is not effective for everyone, and treatment sessions can sometimes be emotionally intense or psychologically challenging.

Psilocybin should only be used under the guidance of a trained healthcare professional in a safe and controlled environment.