A Canadian Study Aims to Use Psilocybin to Battle Alcohol Addiction
A groundbreaking study in Canada is seeking to uncover the potential of psilocybin, a compound found in magic mushrooms, to combat alcohol addiction. Led by researchers from the University of Calgary in Alberta, the study is recruiting 128 patients for the largest single-site trial of its kind in Canada.
Psilocybin Sourced from Mushrooms for Trial
The psilocybin used in the study will be sourced from mushrooms by Filament Health, a company based in Burnaby, British Columbia. Workers at the company will extract the compound and put it into capsule form. The trials have been granted an exemption from Health Canada to use this controlled substance, which remains illegal at the federal level.
Current Approaches to Alcohol Addiction are Ineffective
According to statistics, the current methods for treating alcohol addiction are not very successful. About 70% of individuals struggling with alcoholism will relapse at some point, and only around one-third of alcoholics who recover are able to maintain sobriety. Family interventions and forced rehabilitation have also been proven to be largely ineffective.
Exploring the Role of Psilocybin in Battling Alcohol Use Disorder
The goal of the study, as reported by the Calgary Herald, is to determine if administering psilocybin can enhance the effects of psychotherapy sessions for those with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The use of psilocybin for treating AUD has been explored since the 1960s, but this study aims to provide scientific evidence of its effectiveness.
Psychedelic Therapy Sessions for Participants
Participants in the study will undergo an hour of psychotherapy followed by a five to six hour psilocybin session. This will be followed by another psychotherapy session. The entire process will be closely monitored and conducted in a controlled environment with trained therapists.
Follow-Ups and Expected Results
After their dosing session, participants will undergo 16 weeks of follow-ups. Researchers hope to have results by the end of the year. According to Dr. Leah Mayo, the principal investigator and Parker Psychedelic Research chair at the Cumming School of Medicine, psilocybin can open up a “therapeutic window of opportunity” by making the brain more elastic and receptive.
A New Approach to Treating Alcohol Addiction
The current approach to treating alcohol addiction is confrontational and often ineffective. This study aims to use a more gentle and introspective approach, encouraging self-reflection and focusing on the reasons for making positive changes in one’s life. Researchers hope to establish a new standard for treating alcohol addiction that is more successful and compassionate.
