Single Dose of Psilocybin Shows Promise in Reducing Cocaine Use

In a newly published pilot study, 40 adults diagnosed with cocaine use disorder were treated with a single psilocybin dose and about ten psychotherapy sessions. Conducted in Alabama, the trial found that 30% of participants who received psilocybin stayed abstinent for six months, compared with zero percent in the placebo arm. The most common adverse effects were brief emotional upset, elevated blood pressure during the session, and occasional headaches afterward.

The cohort was predominantly Black and socioeconomically disadvantaged, addressing a gap in psychedelic research demographics. While the results are encouraging, critics highlighted the limited participant number and the difficulty of separating the drug’s impact from the psychotherapy component. Researchers note that regulatory hurdles remain, though recent executive actions may accelerate future studies.