Title:Studying the Effects of Classic Hallucinogens in the Treatment of Alcoholism: Rationale, Methodology, and Current Research with Psilocybin
VOLUME: 6 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Michael P. Bogenschutz
Affiliation:Center for Psychiatric Research, MSC11 6035, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA.
Keywords:Addiction, alcohol dependence, alcoholism, clinical trials, drug abuse, hallucinogens, psilocybin, psychedelic
drugs.
Abstract:Recent developments in the study of classic hallucinogens, combined with a re-appraisal of the older literature,
have led to a renewal of interest in possible therapeutic applications for these drugs, notably their application in the
treatment of addictions. This article will first provide a brief review of the research literature providing direct and indirect
support for the possible therapeutic effects of classic hallucinogens such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide
(LSD) in the treatment of addictions. Having provided a rationale for clinical investigation in this area, we discuss design
issues in clinical trials using classic hallucinogens, some of which are unique to this class of drug. We then discuss the
current status of this field of research and design considerations in future randomized trials.
