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A. Garcia-Romeu

The subjective experience of acute, experimentally-induced Salvia divinorum inebriation

February 17, 2015 / Neuroscience, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Salvia / Salvinorin A / By / , , ,

Abstract

This study examined the overall psychological effects of inebriation facilitated by the naturally-occurring plant hallucinogen Salvia divinorum using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty healthy individuals self-administered Salvia divinorum via combustion and inhalation in a quiet, comfortable research setting. Experimental sessions, post-session interviews, and 8-week follow-up meetings were audio recorded and transcribed to provide the primary qualitative material analyzed here. Additionally, post-session responses to the Hallucinogen Rating Scale provided a quantitative groundwork for mixed-methods discussion. Qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis, being coded independently by three researchers before being collaboratively integrated to provide the final results. Three main themes and 10 subthemes of acute intoxication emerged, encompassing the qualities of the experience, perceptual alterations, and cognitive-affective shifts. The experience was described as having rapid onset and being intense and unique. Participants reported marked changes in auditory, visual, and interoceptive sensory input; losing normal awareness of themselves and their surroundings; and an assortment of delusional phenomena. Additionally, the abuse potential of Salvia divinorum was examined post hoc. These findings are discussed in light of previous research, and provide an initial framework for greater understanding of the subjective effects of Salvia divinorum, an emerging drug of abuse.

Addy, P. H., Garcia-Romeu, A., Metzger, M., & Wade, J. (2015). The subjective experience of acute, experimentally-induced Salvia divinorum inebriation. Journal of Psychopharmacology. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269881115570081
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Psychedelic-facilitated smoking cessation: An online survey

January 1, 2015 / LSD, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Substance Use Disorder / By / , ,

Abstract

Aims:
Pilot laboratory results suggest psilocybin may be an efficacious adjunct to smoking cessation treatment. However, no study has examined smoking cessation after psychedelic use in naturalistic settings.
Methods:
We are conducting an online survey collecting demographics, smoking history, and other data from people who self-report quitting/reducing smoking after taking a psychedelic.
Results:
Among current completers (N=164), LSD (49%) and psilocybin (32%) were the drugs most commonly associated with quitting/reducing, with a mode of 2-5 lifetime uses each. Participants reported smoking a mean of 12 cigs/day for a mean of 8 yrs before the experience. 62(38%) reported total and continuing abstinence after their experience, with 29 of the 62 (47%) reporting >1yr abstinence, and 7 (11%) reporting >10 yrs abstinence. Another 67 of the 164 (41%) reported persisting smoking reduction, from a mode of 10-20 cigs/day before, to a mode of <1 cig/month after the experience. The remaining 35 (21%) reported temporary reduction, with 6 of the 35 (17%) reporting >1 yr reduction. Although the majority of withdrawal symptoms were rated as equal in severity to previous quit attempts, depression, irritability, anxiety, and craving were rated as “much less severe.” 141 of the 164 (86%) reported no premeditated intention to quit/reduce smoking, and 159 (97%) described their experience as highly meaningful, with
97 (59%) considering it among the 10 most meaningful experiences of their lives. Participants cited changed life priorities/values (26%), strengthened belief in their ability to quit (26%), and changed future orientation (17%) as the most important effects leading to quitting/reducing. Other changes reported after psychedelic use included reduced alcohol (38%) and other drug use (23%).
Conclusions:
Psychedelics may prompt temporary or prolonged smoking cessation, suggesting that careful administration in a treatment context may enhance motivation in changing addictive behaviors. Psychological and neurobiological mechanisms underlying such behavioral changes require further investigation.

Garcia-Romeu, A. P., Griffiths, R. R., & Johnson, M. W. (2015). Psychedelic-facilitated smoking cessation: An online survey. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, (146), e120. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.09.245
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Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction

September 11, 2014 / Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Substance Use Disorder / By / , , ,

Abstract

Despite suggestive early findings on the therapeutic use of hallucinogens in the treatment of substance use disorders, rigorous follow-up has not been conducted. To determine the safety and feasibility of psilocybin as an adjunct to tobacco smoking cessation treatment we conducted an open-label pilot study administering moderate (20 mg/70 kg) and high (30 mg/70 kg) doses of psilocybin within a structured 15-week smoking cessation treatment protocol. Participants were 15 psychiatrically healthy nicotine-dependent smokers (10 males; mean age of 51 years), with a mean of six previous lifetime quit attempts, and smoking a mean of 19 cigarettes per day for a mean of 31 years at intake. Biomarkers assessing smoking status, and self-report measures of smoking behavior demonstrated that 12 of 15 participants (80%) showed seven-day point prevalence abstinence at 6-month follow-up. The observed smoking cessation rate substantially exceeds rates commonly reported for other behavioral and/or pharmacological therapies (typically <35%). Although the open-label design does not allow for definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy of psilocybin, these findings suggest psilocybin may be a potentially efficacious adjunct to current smoking cessation treatment models. The present study illustrates a framework for future research on the efficacy and mechanisms of hallucinogen-facilitated treatment of addiction.

Johnson, M. W., Garcia-Romeu, A., Cosimano, M. P., & Griffiths, R. R. (2014). Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 28(11), 983-992. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269881114548296
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Examining the psychological mechanisms of psilocybin-assisted smoking cessation treatment: A pilot study

July 1, 2014 / Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Substance Use Disorder / By / , ,

Abstract

Anthropological evidence and early experimental studies suggest that structured administration of 5-HT2A agonist hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, psilocybin) may have potential in treating addictions, including alcoholism and opioid dependence. Psilocybin administration has been recently linked to persisting effects including personality change (i.e., increased NEO Openness), mood enhancement, and behavior change. The association between mood, personality, and addiction has been well documented, and suggests that psilocybin may be useful in the treatment of addiction.

Garcia-Romeu, A. P., Johnson, M. W., & Griffiths, R. R. (2014). Examining the psychological mechanisms of psilocybin-assisted smoking cessation treatment: A pilot study. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 140, e66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.200
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