Tina Singh1, Dipa Patel1, Kasey Bishop1, Rhea Shishodia1, Sadeepa Bulasthina2
1CHSU, 2SGU
Objective:
To uncover the underlying mechanisms between the usage of psilocybin and its impact on the rehabilitation from substance use disorders (SUD).
Background:
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), no more than ~6% of tobacco smokers who want to quit are actually able to do so.2 Current therapeutic efforts and devices are ineffective at helping people quit smoking long-term, which brings into question what new avenues should be taken.4 Psilocybin has been proven to be an effective treatment for SUD in general and has become a pioneering treatment for tobacco cessation.4
Design/Methods:
A systematic literature review based on searches through Google Scholar and PubMed was conducted to understand the mechanism behind why psilocybin has been an effective treatment for people who are addicted to substances. Google Scholar and PubMed were searched for the terms “psilocybin” and “psilocybin for substance use disorder.” Exclusion factors included “mood disorders” and “spirituality.”
Results:
Psilocybin’s mechanism of action is primarily through the activation of 5HT-2A receptors, which are also a part of dopaminergic pathways.1 These 5HT-2A receptors are eventually downregulated after activation which leads to compensatory upregulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors, which activates the nucleus accumbens; therefore, cravings and addiction can be mediated.1 This is demonstrated through long-term studies, which have proven that tobacco cessation [in patients using psilocybin] is improved at 6-month follow-up in comparison to first-line treatments (cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, etc.) as well as with alcohol abuse.3,4 Psilocybin has also been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for people with SUD and non-substance-related addictions.5,6
Conclusions:
Psilocybin’s role as an effective treatment for SUD needs to be addressed through further studies and clinical trials. More data should be gathered to understand any potential side effects. In the future, we hope to conduct a study that demonstrates how psilocybin can be an effective treatment for other SUDs.