Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Psychedelics have garnered tremendous interest in recent years for their potential to address substance use disorders. Numerous studies had been conducted prior to the criminalization of psychedelics in the 1970s, serving as the preliminary data to support the modern interest in psychedelic research for substance use disorders. Studies have now been completed for both alcohol and tobacco use disorders by investigators in the US and UK, demonstrating significant reductions in craving or substance use after one or multiple sessions of either psilocybin or ketamine in combination with psychotherapy. While the exact mechanisms for how these treatments contribute to improved outcomes remain unknown, these early results have been met with considerable enthusiasm and excitement. In 2021 for the first time in many decades, the NIH awarded a grant to study psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of tobacco use disorder. Nevertheless, concerns about safety remain, and the field is eagerly waiting for more rigorous studies to be completed. This presentation will provide an overview of the main psychedelic substances being investigated, psychological and biological effects, psychiatric sequalae of misuse, current evidence-base for psychedelics to treat substance use disorders, and the potential future directions of this line of research.
Learning Objectives:
After this activity participants should be able to
Upon completion, participant will be able to describe the clinical pharmacology of the various classes of psychedelic compounds
Upon completion, participant will be able to understand the DSM-5 diagnoses for hallucinogen-related disorders
Upon completion, participant will be able to assess the past and current research on psychedelics for the treatment of substance use disorders