In this week’s Psychedelic news roundup, we discuss fresh data supporting the use of psilocybin to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). Other news includes what some scientists believe may be the key to understanding psychedelic mechanisms of action, new support for psychedelic medicine at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and more.
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Scientists Unveil Psilocybin’s Role in Curbing Alcohol Use Disorder
A recent study titled, Psilocybin Reduces Alcohol Self-Administration via Selective 1 Left Nucleus Accumbens Activation in Rats, suggests that psilocybin, the pro-drug component in psychedelic mushrooms, may hold promise in treating alcohol use disorder. This research, focusing on rats, indicates that psilocybin may significantly reduce alcohol consumption by altering brain pathways linked to reward and addiction.
Researchers utilized male Long-Evans rats to mimic human alcohol consumption behaviors. These rats were given free access to alcohol and then subjected to psilocybin treatments. The focus was on the left nucleus accumbens, a critical area in the brain’s reward system.
Findings Highlight:
- Psilocybin notably changed the expression of genes related to dopamine and serotonin pathways, key players in addiction mechanisms.
- It significantly reduced the rats’ alcohol consumption—rats showed a 48% drop in lever presses for alcohol and a 51% decrease in total alcohol intake.
- The effects were primarily observed when psilocybin was administered directly into the left nucleus accumbens, highlighting its central role.
- The study pinpointed the serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT2A) as a vital component in the psiloybin’s mechanism of action, as blocking these receptors with the ketanserin (a drug designed to modulate serotonin receptors) reversed psilocybin’s effects.
These promising results in animal models suggest that psilocybin could potentially alter addictive behaviors by modifying brain function and mRNA (single-stranded type of genetic data involved in protein synthesis) related gene expression associated with the reward system. However, transitioning these findings to human applications will require extensive clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy.
The path from rat models to human treatment is complex, given physiological and behavioral differences. Continued research is essential to understand how psilocybin could be integrated into existing treatment frameworks for alcohol use disorder.(1)
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Defining the Essential Elements of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
A new article from Psychiatric Times discusses difficulties surrounding the integration of psychedelics into psychotherapeutic practices. Particularly in the wake of the FDA’s hesitancy to approve MDMA for PTSD treatment, which has sparked a broader conversation about the intrinsic role of psychotherapy in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT).
A new article from Psychiatric Times discusses difficulties surrounding the integration of psychedelPsychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin are potential facilitators in a therapeutic process. This model, known as “psychedelic-assisted therapy,” emphasizes the synergy between the drug and the psychotherapeutic process to catalyze healing. Contrary to the FDA‘s skepticism about the necessity of psychotherapy in these treatments, emerging research and historical psychotherapy data suggest that the therapeutic alliance—the bond between therapist and patient—is a pivotal element of successful outcomes.ics into psychotherapeutic practices. Particularly in the wake of the FDA’s hesitancy to approve MDMA for PTSD treatment, which has sparked a broader conversation about the intrinsic role of psychotherapy in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT).
Clinical Insights and Emerging Research:
1.
Therapeutic Alliance and Psychedelic Therapy:
- Research from Imperial College London demonstrated that a strong therapeutic alliance was associated with more profound psychedelic experiences and better long-term outcomes in depression treatments.
- A similar study highlighted that the depth of the therapeutic relationship could influence the intensity and therapeutic outcomes of psychedelic sessions, underscoring the potential of the therapist-patient bond to enhance treatment efficacy.
2.
Psychedelics’ Role in Enhancing Empathy and Connection:
- Psychedelics are shown to boost empathy and feelings of connectedness, which may enhance the therapeutic alliance between patients and providers. This enhancement could be a key mechanism through which psychedelics exert their therapeutic effects, particularly in treatments for conditions like PTSD and depression.
The integration of psychotherapy with psychedelic treatments presents a unique challenge in standardizing treatment protocols. Critics, like those from the FDA panel, argue that the personalized nature of psychotherapy in PAT lacks the standardization typical of pharmaceutical treatments. However, this personalized approach may be necessary to fully harness the therapeutic potentials of psychedelics.
Decades of psychotherapy research have consistently shown that the therapeutic relationship is critical across various treatments and conditions. This body of work supports the argument that psychotherapy is not merely a supplementary part of psychedelic therapy but a central, active ingredient.(2)
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Exploring the Frontiers of Psychedelic Research for Mental Health at UNM
As reported by the New Mexico Sun the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center has several new studies underway to explore the potential of psychedelic drugs in treating a range of mental health disorders. This pioneering research, led by esteemed professionals such as Larry Leeman, MD, MPH, is focusing on substances like psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA which have shown promise in preliminary studies for conditions such as depression, opioid use disorder, and PTSD.
1.
RE104 for Postpartum Depression:
- A Phase II study, RECONNECT, is evaluating RE104, a compound related to psilocybin, specifically for its rapid effects on postpartum depression. This condition affects approximately 13% of new mothers, and the potential for a quick-acting treatment could significantly improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
2.
Potential Cancer Patient Care:
- RE104 is also being considered for a future study aimed at alleviating depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses, expected to begin in 2025 at UNM.
3.
uAspire (a proprietary psilocybin based salt) for Major Depressive Disorder:
- This Phase III study involves a comprehensive trial with psilocybin for major depressive disorder, offering new insights into how psychedelic therapy can be integrated into treatment plans, ensuring those in the trial have access to the active drug if initial placebo results are ineffective.
4.
MDMA for Opioid Use Disorder:
- An ongoing project is investigating whether MDMA-assisted therapy can help mothers with opioid use disorder by potentially easing PTSD symptoms that contribute to addiction.
The studies are conducted at UNM’s Interdisciplinary Substance Use and Brain Injury Center (ISUBI), which is equipped for both overnight and extended day treatments. This facility ensures that participants receive the necessary care in a controlled environment, pivotal for studies involving intense therapeutic sessions.(3)
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Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelics Beyond Hallucinations
Recent research from the Nature Neuroscience journal presents a significant breakthrough in understanding how psychedelics like LSD and psilocin interact with brain receptors, unveiling their potential to revolutionize antidepressant treatments without the psychedelic side effects.
Psychedelics have long been associated with their hallucinogenic properties, which can limit their use in therapeutic settings. However, the study discovers that these substances have a high affinity for binding directly to the TrkB receptor (the receptor that interacts with neurotrophic tyrosine kinase), a critical component in brain development and mental health. This receptor is responsible for the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to change and adapt. This finding is crucial because it suggests that the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics do not necessarily come from their hallucinogenic properties but from their ability to enhance neural growth and repair.
Moreover, the study highlights a crucial distinction: while psychedelics activate the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A), associated with their hallucinogenic effects, their antidepressant and neuroplastic benefits may operate through a separate mechanism involving the TrkB receptor. This separation could lead to the development of new psychedelic-based treatments that do not cause hallucinations.
Key Points from the Study:
- Direct Binding to TrkB: LSD and psilocin (the drug that converts from psilocybin in the gut) bind with significantly higher affinity to the TrkB receptor compared to traditional antidepressants.
- Independence from Hallucinogenic Effects: The antidepressant and neuroplastic benefits of psychedelics may be achieved without activating the hallucinogenic pathways. However, further research is needed.
This research represents a potential paradigm shift in how we view these powerful substances in medicine. The next steps involve further studies to refine these findings and develop treatments that are both effective and safe for clinical use.(4)
Overwhelming Public Support for Marijuana Descheduling Emerges in Federal Comments
Marijuana Moment reports on an unprecedented display of public engagement in the fight to reschedule marijuana. Recent analyses of comments on the federal government’s proposal to reschedule marijuana reveal a strong public preference for removing cannabis entirely from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Here’s what the data from two distinct reports suggest:
- According to Headset, an industry analytics firm, 57% of the comments favored completely descheduling marijuana, while only 35% agreed with the Biden administration’s proposal to move it to Schedule III.
- Conversely, just 8% supported keeping cannabis in Schedule I, highlighting widespread opposition to its current strict classification.
- The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), another key player in the analysis, reported even more striking numbers, with 69.3% of comments advocating for the complete descheduling or decriminalization of marijuana.
These comments not only suggest revisions to the current proposal but also indicate broader issues such as the need for federal marijuana reform to advance racial justice and social equity.
Specifically:
- 42.4% of comments mentioned that federal marijuana reform is crucial for advancing racial justice and social equity.
- The public’s input suggests a disconnect between the Biden administration’s modest rescheduling proposal and the more substantial reforms many believe are necessary to address historical injustices associated with marijuana criminalization.
The robust public response, which shattered previous DEA records for engagement, underscores a pivotal moment in the movement towards drug policy reform. As federal officials consider these comments, there is a clear mandate from the public to not only rethink marijuana’s legal status but also to implement broader reforms that address the systemic impacts of its criminalization.(5)
This material is not intended as a replacement or substitute for any legal or medical advice. Always consult a medical professional about your health needs. Psychedelics are widely illegal in the United States, and readers should always be informed about local, state, and federal regulations regarding psychedelics or other drugs.
- Jeanblanc, J., Bordy, R., Fouquet, G., Jeanblanc, V., & Naassila, M. (2024). Psilocybin reduces alcohol self-administration via selective left nucleus accumbens activation in rats. Brain. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae136
- What Matters Most in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy? (2024, July 22). Psychiatric Times. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/what-matters-most-in-psychedelic-assisted-psychotherapy
- Sun, N. M. (n.d.). UNM researchers explore psychedelics’ potential against mental health disorders. New Mexico Sun. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://newmexicosun.com/stories/661988728-unm-researchers-explore-psychedelics-potential-against-mental-health-disorders
- Moliner, R., Girych, M., Brunello, C. A., Kovaleva, V., Biojone, C., Enkavi, G., Antenucci, L., Kot, E. F., Goncharuk, S. A., Kaurinkoski, K., Kuutti, M., Fred, S. M., Elsilä, L. V., Sakson, S., Cannarozzo, C., Diniz, C. R. A. F., Seiffert, N., Rubiolo, A., Haapaniemi, H., & Meshi, E. (2023). Psychedelics promote plasticity by directly binding to BDNF receptor TrkB. Nature Neuroscience, 26(6), 1032–1041. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-023-01316-5
- Adlin, B. (2024, July 23). Strong Majority Of Marijuana Rescheduling Public Comments Support Even Broader Reform Than Biden’s Plan, Two Analyses Show. Marijuana Moment. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/strong-majority-of-marijuana-rescheduling-public-comments-support-even-broader-reform-than-bidens-plan-two-analyses-show/
