Study Finds Magic Mushrooms and LSD May Help Those with Stuttering
A groundbreaking new study conducted by researchers at New York University has revealed that individuals struggling with stuttering may experience some relief from substances like psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in “magic mushrooms,” and LSD.
According to lead author and associate professor of communicative sciences and disorders at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, Eric S. Jackson, “Given the positive effects of psychedelics on conditions like anxiety and PTSD, which share symptoms with stuttering, we think that investigating the potential impact of psychedelics on stuttering can be a fruitful area of research.”
Published in the Journal of Fluency Disorders, this study is the first of its kind to explore the self-reported experiences of self-identified stutterers using classic psychedelics.
Stuttering can have a significant impact on an individual’s social, occupational, and educational aspects of life. While traditional behavioral therapies can be helpful, their effects are often limited. Pharmaceutical treatments have been explored, but there are currently no FDA-approved treatments for stuttering. This has led to a growing interest in the potential use of classic psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD, which have shown effectiveness in treating disorders with similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. However, the potential effects of psychedelics on stuttering have not been thoroughly explored.
In their study, Jackson and his team wrote, “Stuttering is typically characterized by intermittent disruptions in speech, but it also triggers anxiety, fear, and shame, which significantly impact quality of life. Negative reactions from listeners, such as teasing or mocking, can exacerbate these feelings and make it difficult for individuals to cope with and move forward in speech when stuttering occurs. While therapy can help improve speech, it often does not provide lasting changes, with tension, struggle, and avoidance resurfacing. To achieve lasting changes, stutterers may benefit from redefining their relationship with stuttering and exploring concepts like openness and self-acceptance. There is a pressing need for innovative approaches that support overall well-being, reduce negative thoughts and emotions, and enhance ease of communication for stutterers.”
To further investigate this potential, the researchers conducted a preliminary investigation of self-identified stutterers who shared their experiences taking classic psychedelics on the online messaging forum, Reddit. They performed a qualitative analysis on 114 publicly available posts, extracting meaningful units and assigning descriptor codes inductively.
Their search yielded 167 posts, with 14 excluded for lacking firsthand accounts and 39 for discussing substances other than classic psychedelics. The final sample of 114 posts provided valuable insights into the potential benefits of psychedelics for stutterers.
This study sheds light on a promising area of research and highlights the need for innovative approaches to support those struggling with stuttering. With further investigation, psychedelics may offer a new avenue for improving the overall well-being and communication abilities of individuals with stuttering.
