Can psilocybin treat addiction?

Psilocybin and Addiction Recovery: Connecting Decades of Research

Curiosity about whether psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in “magic mushrooms,” could help people recover from addiction is growing rapidly. Over the years, researchers have studied its potential effects on substance use disorders, especially alcohol and tobacco dependence. Recent findings build on decades of earlier work, creating a clearer picture of how psilocybin may offer hope for recovery.

What We Learned from Early Studies

Initial clinical trials from the past 25 years showed promising results. Participants who received psilocybin in structured therapeutic settings achieved surprisingly high success rates in quitting alcohol or tobacco, with benefits lasting months or even years after treatment.

• Tobacco Use Disorder: Early Pilot study reported abstinence rates as high as 67% one year after treatment.
• Alcohol Use Disorder: This open label pilot study found that psilocybin-assisted therapy led to significant reductions in heavy drinking days and, for some, complete abstinence.

Researchers noted that the quality of the experience during psilocybin sessions, often described as mystical or deeply meaningful, played an important role in the positive outcomes.

The 2023 Systematic Review: A Bigger Picture

While earlier reviews focused only on recent studies, a 2023 systematic review expanded the scope to include research from the mid-20th century alongside modern clinical trials. This allowed scientists to capture a broader understanding of psilocybin’s effects on addiction. The review included four clinical trials involving 151 participants, with doses ranging from 6 to 40 mg:

• In a pilot study for alcohol use disorder, heavy drinking days dropped by 26% within 12 weeks.
• A long-term follow-up study showed that 32% of participants remained completely abstinent from alcohol for an average of six years.
• In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 95 participants, psilocybin recipients had 13.9% fewer heavy drinking days compared to placebo.
• For tobacco use disorder, a pilot study showed that 80% of participants quit smoking at 26 weeks, and 67% remained smoke-free at 52 weeks.

Across both old and new studies, psilocybin-assisted therapy consistently showed benefits for reducing substance use and supporting lasting change.

Why These Results Stand Out

Psilocybin therapy is unique because it often creates profound inner experiences that help individuals reframe their relationship with addiction. Combined with psychotherapy, these sessions can bring insights that strengthen motivation and resilience, which may explain the long-term success seen in follow-up studies.

Psilocybin is not without risks, but it is considered to have a low risk of toxicity and is not known to be addictive. All studies reviewed were conducted in controlled therapeutic environments. The research also points to the need for larger randomized controlled trials to fully confirm its effectiveness across diverse populations.

When we connect decades of research, one message becomes clear: psilocybin-assisted therapy shows strong potential for treating alcohol and tobacco addiction. While more large-scale studies are needed, both early and recent findings point toward a new tool in addiction recovery: one that combines science, therapy, and transformative experiences to offer real hope.

If you’re looking for personalized guidance and support before or after a psychedelic experience, the Unlimited Sciences Psychedelic Info Line offers free, 1:1 support for answering questions about psychedelic safety, integration, and emotional processing.