A dose of mushrooms for alcoholism?

Researchers at UI’s Department of Psychiatry are striving to conduct a study next summer to determine if ketamine and psilocybin, two types of psychedelic substances, can effectively treat an alcohol use disorder.

Peggy Nopoulos, Chair of UI’s Department of Psychiatry, explores the potential of psychedelic therapy for alcohol use disorders. As part of the study, certain participants will be given doses of psilocybin, commonly referred to as magic mushrooms and ketamine.

In early 2022, researchers initiated discussions about conducting a study on psychedelics. However, it is time-consuming to obtain permission to handle the drugs in a laboratory setting, so the investigation requires considerable preparation time.

Proposed methodology

Nopoulos found that controlled psychedelic therapy allows the brain to break out of negative circuits or patterns such as excessive drinking or depressed moods. Treatment with psychedelic substances allows alternative circuits in the brain to take over. Nopoulos explained that individuals suffering from illnesses such as depression or addiction often have abnormal internal brain circuitry that is hyper-connected. This causes their state to be adopted after triggering.

According to Mark Niciu, an assistant professor at UI’s Department of Psychiatry and the Iowa Neuroscience Institute, the study at UI will involve a head-to-head comparison between ketamine and psilocybin.

Nopoulos noted that the survey would involve the administration of psychedelics to a cohort of men with alcohol use disorder. Half of the participants will be given psilocybin. The other half gets ketamine, and neither the subjects nor the researchers know what substance is being administered.

Participants will undergo an MRI scan at the start of the study and have a session with a therapist. You will be given your prescribed dose and have an MRI scan for follow up. Subjects will be monitored over time and a final MRI scan will be performed three months after initial drug administration for assessment purposes.

Candida Maurer, a licensed psychologist and the study’s principal therapist, mentioned that participants would receive a two-hour consultation with a licensed psychologist prior to being administered the psychedelic drugs. During this time she will collect her medical history and try to understand when her condition began, the possible reasons for it and her current goals in life.

Maurer plans to use a variety of therapies, including bodywork, meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, inner child work, relaxation techniques, and mind-body therapy. Maurer further explained that by assisting the participant in accessing the part of their body experiencing discomfort, the treatment could facilitate the resolution of any associated trauma. She emphasized that this will be an essential part of the therapy offered.

Classic Psychedelics

Nopoulos reviewed two commonly used classic psychedelics: lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin. She explained that both substances affect the brain, resulting in a specific type of experience often referred to as a psychedelic trip.

Psychedelic substances have been stigmatized. Nopoulos noted that considerable advances in psychedelic research had been made in the 1950s and 1960s. However, all previous advances were lost with the passage of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, making these drugs illegal.

According to Nopoulos, the government has expressed concern about the social unrest these substances are causing. “It was a highly political move,” she added. Significant advances have been made from a scientific point of view. However, the cessation of research led to a standstill in scientific progress for several decades.

The use of psychedelic drugs in medicine has been maligned for many years, but as the body of evidence mounts it is impossible to deny their potential benefits. A new era in mental health therapy is dawning, thanks to research at the University of Iowa that embraces new ideas and is not afraid to challenge the established.

It is important to remember that recreational use of psychedelics can have negative effects on users. However, they can have profound mental health effects when administered under the supervision of experienced specialists in a controlled environment.

Nopoulos has been researching psychedelic substances for two decades, and scientific investigation is gradually gaining momentum. Nopoulos mentioned that each individual might have a different experience with the psychedelic substance, influenced by different factors in their lives.

According to Nopoulos, experience with psychedelic substances can significantly alter a person’s perception of their surroundings, thought processes, and emotions. She said that for many this could be perceived as a spiritual experience. However, the nature of the experience can vary depending on a person’s personality and belief system.

Niciu is excited about this study as it is the first of its kind at UI. He points to the urgent need for better treatment options for alcohol use disorders and the limitations of currently available drug treatments. Niciu explained that despite the availability of several FDA-approved drugs, many patients don’t respond well to them. The main goal of this study is to bring relief to people struggling with mental health disorders.

Diploma

A major advance in mental health comes with the UI Department of Psychiatry’s investigation into the potential use of psychedelic substances to treat alcohol use disorders. Long a contentious issue, the use of psychedelics in medicine is now supported by research by Nopoulos and Nicius attempting to demonstrate the effectiveness of these drugs in treating mental health problems.

The study itself gives hope to people with alcohol use disorder who may not have responded to conventional therapies, as it will be the first of its kind at UI. A thorough treatment strategy that has the potential to be life-changing involves the co-administration of psilocybin and ketamine in a controlled setting, combined with pre- and post-drug therapy sessions.

Overall, the study, conducted by the UI Division of Psychiatry, is a testament to the scientific community’s commitment to improving the lives of people struggling with mental health disorders. It is an advance in medicine and offers hope for a brighter future in the treatment of mental illness.

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