You might not expect one of the most potent hallucinogen of all time to be utile in the treatment of addiction . But weirdly that ’s exactly whata raw studyshows .
A squad of investigator from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim hasanalyzed datafirst gathered in the 1960s and 1970s to establish the drug ’s issue on addiction .
The data — based on results from 536 participants — shows that those taking LSD reported far lower levels of alcohol abuse . This actually chime with speculation in the 1950s , when psychiatrists suggested that LSD could be an in effect discussion for alcoholism .
Indeed , in the last decade there have been numerous visitation using other drugs to treat dependance , such asayahuascafor drug and alcohol dependency , and psilocin — the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms — to wean smokers from their cigarettes . Both have shown some successes .
It stay on unclear how psychedelics actually achieve such effects , but it ’s probable they work on both a biological and psychological spirit level . speak to Nature , Robin Carhart - Harris , a psychopharmacologist at Imperial College London , say :
“ Psychedelics in all likelihood run in habituation by making the brain function more chaotically for a period – a bit like shaking up a snow orb – weakening reinforced brain connections and moral force . ”
Whether LSD — or any other hallucinogen for that affair — is the most in effect way to treat dependance is refutable . In fact , I ’m happy to wager that it ’s certainly not the most effective method , given the wealthiness of psychological treatments that have been developed in recent decennium . It might make kick a habit a little more entertaining , though . [ Nature ; Image : Shutterstock ]
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