Classic and non‐classic psychedelics for substance use disorder: A review of their historic, past and current research

Mendes, Fúlvio Rieli; Costa, Cristiane dos Santos; Wiltenburg, Victor Distefano; Morales-Lima, Gabriela; Fernandes, João Ariel Bonar; Filev, Renato

doi:10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100025

Cited by 16 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 280 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Qualitative and quantitative observational studies support the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca on SUD treatment (Barbosa et al, 2018;Doering-Silveira et al, 2005;Jiménez-Garrido et al, 2020;Mendes et al, 2022;Thomas et al, 2013). Additionally, preclinical studies seem to confirm the potential of ayahuasca in drug addiction treatment (Daldegan-Bueno et al, 2023;Mendes et al, 2022). Ayahuasca administration has been shown to reduce voluntary amphetamine consumption, amphetamine-induced locomotor activity and anxiety in rats (Godinho et al, 2017), and attenuated naloxone-induced withdrawal syndrome in morphine-dependent rats (Aricioglu-Kartal et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Studies suggest that ayahuasca has therapeutic potential for psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder (SUD) (dos Santos & Hallak, 2020; Mendes et al, 2022; Wiltenburg et al, 2021). Qualitative and quantitative observational studies support the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca on SUD treatment (Barbosa et al, 2018; Doering-Silveira et al, 2005; Jiménez-Garrido et al, 2020; Mendes et al, 2022; Thomas et al, 2013). Additionally, preclinical studies seem to confirm the potential of ayahuasca in drug addiction treatment (Daldegan-Bueno et al, 2023; Mendes et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Animal studies have also shown the potential therapeutic use of ayahuasca in alcohol use disorders (AUD) (Mendes et al, 2022). Preclinical studies showed that ayahuasca inhibited alcohol-induced sensitization and reduced the alcohol withdrawal symptoms in mice (Almeida et al, 2021; Oliveira-Lima et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Effect of Ayahuasca on Experimental Models of Ethanol Addiction and Immunohistochemistry Analysis in Rodents

Distefano Wiltenburg,

Morales-Lima,

Sousa Santos

et al. 2024

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew originally used ritually and therapeutically by various traditional peoples in the Amazon, is receiving special attention for its potential therapeutic effects on addiction. This study investigates the effects of lyophilized ayahuasca in alcohol-induced animal model, examining behavioral, pharmacological, and neurobiological aspects. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of β-carbolines and dimethyltryptamine, with all compound levels within literature ranges. Pharmacological screening revealed dose-dependent behavioral changes, with the highest dose inducing transient effects. Motor coordination deficits were observed at the highest dose, consistent with pharmacological screening. Pretreatment with ayahuasca prevented ethanol-induced conditioned place preference, suggesting anti-addictive potential. Immunoreactivity analysis revealed no significant changes in DeltaFosB and c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens core and shell subsections. This study suggests low acute toxicity of ayahuasca, motor coordination impairment at high doses, and potential anti-addictive effects in preventing ethanol-induced conditioned place preference. These findings contribute to the understanding of the pharmacological and behavioral effects of ayahuasca and highlight the need for further research and clinical studies to elucidate its therapeutic potential in substance use disorders.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effect of Ayahuasca on Experimental Models of Ethanol Addiction and Immunohistochemistry Analysis in Rodents

Distefano Wiltenburg,

Morales-Lima,

Sousa Santos

et al. 2024

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Recent findings suggest that the use of serotonergic psychedelics in combination with psychotherapy may be a promising treatment approach for a variety of psychiatric disorders, including major depression and substance use disorders such as AUD [ 11 , 12 ]. Serotonergic psychedelics are psychoactive drugs, including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), that can elicit altered states of perception, cognition and emotion.…”

Section: The Use Of Serotonergic Psychedelics In the Treatment Of Alc...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychedelic Targeting of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 2 and Its Implications for the Treatment of Alcoholism

Domanegg

Sommer

Meinhardt

2023

Cells

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Alcohol abuse is a leading risk factor for the public health burden worldwide. Approved pharmacotherapies have demonstrated limited effectiveness over the last few decades in treating alcohol use disorders (AUD). New therapeutic approaches are therefore urgently needed. Historical and recent clinical trials using psychedelics in conjunction with psychotherapy demonstrated encouraging results in reducing heavy drinking in AUD patients, with psilocybin being the most promising candidate. While psychedelics are known to induce changes in gene expression and neuroplasticity, we still lack crucial information about how this specifically counteracts the alterations that occur in neuronal circuits throughout the course of addiction. This review synthesizes well-established knowledge from addiction research about pathophysiological mechanisms related to the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu2), with findings and theories on how mGlu2 connects to the major signaling pathways induced by psychedelics via serotonin 2A receptors (2AR). We provide literature evidence that mGlu2 and 2AR are able to regulate each other’s downstream signaling pathways, either through monovalent crosstalk or through the formation of a 2AR-mGlu2 heteromer, and highlight epigenetic mechanisms by which 2ARs can modulate mGlu2 expression. Lastly, we discuss how these pathways might be targeted therapeutically to restore mGlu2 function in AUD patients, thereby reducing the propensity to relapse.

show abstract

“…Recently, serotonergic hallucinogens (here also referred to as psychedelics), such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or N,N -dimethyltryptamine (DMT), have shown great promise in reducing symptoms of substance addictions and mood disorders, as indicated by a vast body of research and reviews ( Dos Santos et al, 2018 ; Romeo et al, 2021 ; Bogenschutz et al, 2022 ; Calleja-Conde et al, 2022 ; Jones et al, 2022 ; Mendes et al, 2022 ; van der Meer et al, 2023 ). Hypotheses explaining the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs cover psychosocial models, large-scale effects on neural activity and network connectivity, neuroinflammatory mechanisms, as well as molecular/pharmacological actions and are, thus, as multilayered as the phenomenon of addiction ( Tófoli and de Araujo, 2016 ; Koslowski et al, 2022 ; Teixeira et al, 2022 ; van Elk and Yaden, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mini-review: The neurobiology of treating substance use disorders with classical psychedelics

2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The potential of psychedelics to persistently treat substance use disorders is known since the 1960s. However, the biological mechanisms responsible for their therapeutic effects have not yet been fully elucidated. While it is known that serotonergic hallucinogens induce changes in gene expression and neuroplasticity, particularly in prefrontal regions, theories on how specifically this counteracts the alterations that occur in neuronal circuitry throughout the course of addiction are largely unknown. This narrative mini-review endeavors to synthesize well-established knowledge from addiction research with findings and theories regarding the neurobiological effects of psychedelics to give an overview of the potential mechanisms that underlie the treatment of substance use disorders with classical hallucinogenic compounds and point out gaps in the current understanding.

show abstract

Classic and non‐classic psychedelics for substance use disorder: A review of their historic, past and current research

Cited by 16 publications

References 280 publications

Effect of Ayahuasca on Experimental Models of Ethanol Addiction and Immunohistochemistry Analysis in Rodents

Effect of Ayahuasca on Experimental Models of Ethanol Addiction and Immunohistochemistry Analysis in Rodents

Psychedelic Targeting of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 2 and Its Implications for the Treatment of Alcoholism

Mini-review: The neurobiology of treating substance use disorders with classical psychedelics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About