Illustrated News
Magic mushrooms can treat alcohol use disorder
September 5, 2022
Summary
Alcohol use disorder is a serious public health problem, and the effects of currently available treatments and medications tend to be small.
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New research reveals that the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, in combination with talk therapy, could be a promising treatment for people with alcohol addiction.
In a study published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry, scientists found that patients taking this drug, called psilocybin, had an 83 percent decline in heavy drinking, while those who took a placebo experienced a 51 percent decline.
About half of those who received psilocybin stopped drinking altogether eight months after their first dose, while about 24 percent of the placebo group quit drinking.
[https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/psychedelic-magic-mushroom-ingredient-could-help-treat-alcohol-addiction-180980658/](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/psychedelic-magic-mushroom-ingredient-could-help-treat-alcohol-addiction-180980658/)