It's the largest trial yet exploring psychedelic treatment for alcoholism.
of alcohol-related deaths in the first year of the pandemic. While some medications and psychotherapy can effectively manage alcohol abuse, Bogenschutz says their effects are small. Only one person out of 60 with alcohol use disorder actually seek medical treatment.led by Bogenschutz, in which his team tested the effects of two doses of psilocybin plus psychotherapy on 10 participants with alcohol dependence.
People in the psilocybin group drank significantly less than people in the placebo group during the first 32 weeks. The rate of heavy drinking––in people who took psilocybin was 9.7 percent. For people who had the antihistamine, it was 23.6 percent. The last follow-up showed psilocybin’s effects persisted for another seven months.
Twice as many people in the psilocybin group stopped drinking altogether compared with those who were abstinent in the placebo group . “My greatest expectations for this were to be able to manage my cravings, and this surpassed that,” said John Costas, one of the first participants enrolled in the clinical trial, in a press conference about the study. “[Psilocybin] eliminated all my cravings to the point where it cured my alcoholism, and I don’t categorize myself as an alcoholic anymore.
Paul Mavis, another study participant who received the placebo but then psilocybin in the optional third session, said he feels comfortable again going out to dinner with friends who are drinking in front of him. “No one would have thought that I would not be drinking, including myself… I haven’t had a drink or a craving, it was as if I never drank in my life.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Small business owners worry about plan to redevelop the iconic San Marcos restaurant rowThe new owner of San Marcos' famed Old California Restaurant Row has unveiled plans for redevelopment, leaving several of the current tenants fearing they will be forced to move out or close.
Read more »
Small record store in Concord finding its groove post-pandemicVinyl record sales have seen a huge spike in the last few years, and the pandemic appears to have played a role. A small shop in Concord is taking advantage of the rise in interest.
Read more »
What to Eat and Drink this Weekend: Bacon, Banana Splits, Corn Dogs and WineIf you're looking for something to do this weekend to shake off the crazy-ass week, there's plenty to fill your time and stomach. Thursday is national banana split day, plus Fletcher's Corny Dogs is popping up at Klyde Warren. For serious foodies (no shade intended ...
Read more »
Two people injured after a small plane crash in Solano CountyTwo people were hurt on Wednesday when a small plane crashed in Solano County. According to the Sheriff's department, the two people were transported to a nearby hospital. Officials say there was no property damage.
Read more »
New Hampshire AG Arrests Small-Town Newspaper Publisher Arrested for Political AdsNew Hampshire’s attorney general announced on Thursday that the state had arrested the publisher of a local weekly newspaper in Londonderry earlier this week, alleging she illegally published political ads without properly disclosing them to be ads.
Read more »