Psilocybin in the Treatment of Smoking Addiction - Albert Garcia-Romeu

Psilocybin in the Treatment of Smoking Addiction: Psychological Mechanisms and Participant Account

Albert Garcia-Romeu, Ph.D.

Anthropological evidence and early experimental studies suggest that structured administration of 5-HT2A agonist hallucinogens (e.g., LSD and psilocybin) may have potential in treating addictions, including alcoholism and opioid dependence. In order to assess the feasibility of psilocybin as an adjunct to addiction treatment, we have developed a smoking cessation protocol integrating elements from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness with three sessions in which moderate to high doses of psilocybin (20, 30, and 30 mg/70 kg) are administered. Pilot results have been positive, with biologically verified abstinence (CO and cotinine) achieved by 100% of participants in the current sample of nine volunteers, ranging from five weeks to 12 months abstinence depending on their current phase of treatment. Quantitative results generally showed increases in smoking abstinence self-efficacy, confidence, purpose in life, and improved concentration, as well as decreases in withdrawal related anxiety, craving, temptation, desire, and intention to smoke. Participants attributed an important role to mystical-type effects occasioned by psilocybin. These findings are limited by the small participant sample; however this pilot study is ongoing and additional volunteers are currently enrolled. Implications and future directions for research will be discussed.

Albert Garcia-Romeu is a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he is currently researching the effects of psychedelic compounds in human subjects, with a focus on psilocybin as a potential aid in the treatment of addiction. He received his doctorate at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology where he studied the measurement and experience of self-transcendence in healthy adults. Other research interests include the neural and genetic correlates of self-transcendence, potential clinical applications of mindfulness and altered states of consciousness, psychospiritual development, integral theory, and the synthesis of diverse scientific and spiritual paradigms towards novel understandings of consciousness.

[thatnikkivibe]

Keep doin' the Lord's work, Albert. We are proud of you!

[LateralZoot]

I hope to do something similar to this, myself. I want to go into a psilocybin mushroom experience with the intention of quitting smoking dirty cigarettes. An aspect of this video is that when you put yourself in the psychedelic space with a good intention it can yield many positive results.

[giancarlocristea]

Thank you! Psilocybin can save so many people!

[HueyTheDoctor]

This is so amazing to see! Actual progress. Who would've thought.

[phartatmisassa]

Some saying they smoke more while tripping, perhaps intention has a lot to do with it.

[ziibybu]

Why does the audio keep panning from left to right? The sound guy was having too much fun I guess..

[OhGodThe]

Al! I'm mighty proud of you, son. ;)

[Sabnock]

Ayahuasca (DMT+MAOI) can treat Tobacco smoking addiction also. I should know, i quit successfully with no withdrawal symptoms or cravings of any kind. Saturday, the 25th will be 5 full months free of Tobacco and onto my sixth, i quit on X-mas.

[LateralZoot]

I lay in a field of green grass for four hours going "MY GOOOD, I LOVE EVERYTHING"

[imaspaceboy]

whenever i fry balls i smoke like a whole pack of

[dareyo]

true shit man shrooms made me quit smoking & drinking its true been clean for a month now going to try it for a year then for life after!!! this happened exactly one month ago i no longer feel the need to smoke at all

[lionhartd]

how is it legal for them to do it but not anyone else?(here in the national socialist u.s.)