Psilocybin and Smoking Cessation

Most smokers can attest to always looking to kick the habit, and now research is exploring the linkage between psilocybin and smoking cessation. Johns Hopkins researchers recently completed a study of 15 people taking psilocybin, the active hallucinogenic agent in “magic mushrooms.” In the study, smokers were dosed with psilocybin, and 80% of the participants continued to abstain from smoking 6 months after they study. This compares to just a 35% success rate (give or take) for people taking verenicline, one of the most effective pharmaceutical anti-smoking agents available.

Psilocybin-occasioned Mystical Experiences in the Treatment of Tobacco Addiction

The article below is part of Frshmind’s “Psychedelic Science Snapshot Series” where Frshminds reviews the latest in psychedelic research.

History of Psychedelic Treatment for Addiction

In the 1960’s, psychedelics began to explored for its impact on addiction. At the time, the early focus was on the impact of LSD on alcohol addiction (whereas the evils of cigarette smoking were only beginning to enter the public consciousness). A meta-analysis of this early research showed that even a single dose of LSD significantly reduced alcohol consumption, and continued to have this effect long after the person was dosed​. In Canada, doctors began to see the power of combining LSD and classic talk therapy in relation to alcoholism. LSD was further found to have pretty similar effects on opioid addiction. What they also noticed was that the effects were much stronger if the participant experienced a ‘subjective hallucinogenic’ trip. Consumers of LSD will know what this means; the feeling of being ‘transcendental’. The researchers said that patients claim metaphysical experiences and changes to the self and your environment.

After the long ‘war on drugs’ centered hiatus, research has been rejuvenated. Psilocybin has been gaining more of the early attention as the somewhat similar spiritual awakenings that they inspire also appears to have anti-addiction characteristics. In fact early studies replicated the 80% cessation rate in their results.

Smoking Cessation with Psilocybin

But how exactly does this relationship between a transcendental experience and addiction cessation work? A recent study sought to correlate dosing, experiences and outcomes to see if a cause and effect relationship could be established. Strong correlations (by far the strongest found between factors in the study) were found between the degree to which a participant had a profound or mystical experience and their cessation of smoking. This was true for their temptation to smoke, their self-confidence in their ability to stay away from cigarettes, and even biological changes. And importantly, it was found that a stronger transcendental experience, as with a higher dose, did NOT change the rate of cessation amongst the participants.

Mystical Qualities of Psilocybin Associated with Measures of Cessation

Clearly there is something happening here. The study was not conducted in such a way as to be definitive, but its directional results were certainly clear. Researchers are now quite comfortable that the administration of certain psychedelics in reasonable doses can be given to patients who are unable to solution their smoking addiction. The research also noted that there were no examples of abuse of the drug or of any material side effects that were long-lasting. Any experience that was considered by the patient to be a ‘complete transcendence’ offered a substantially superior rate of cessation.
The research spoke of this transcendence as something like reverse-PTSD, where both may lead to profoundly wonderful or terrible mental conditions after only one or two significant events. Once experienced, they both cause lasting behavioural change (and may change brain chemistry as well). This insight was new and sets further research down an interesting path of study. Stay tuned as new and better research seeks to validate this growing point of view!

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