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Impact of psychedelics on craving in addiction: A systematic review

Chapron, SA; Bonazzi, G; Di Lodovico, L; de Ternay, J; Landmann, C; Nourredine, M; Salvo, F; ... Auriacombe, M; + view all (2025) Impact of psychedelics on craving in addiction: A systematic review. Journal of Psychopharmacology 10.1177/02698811241308613. (In press). Green open access

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the context of the need to increase treatment options for substance use disorders, recent research has evaluated the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. However, there is an incomplete understanding of psychedelics’ effects on craving, a core symptom of addictive disorders and a predictor of substance use and relapse. AIMS: To determine if the use of psychedelics is associated with changes in craving in humans. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature, using PubMed, PsycInfo, and Scopus databases up to May 2023. We included all studies assessing any substance craving levels after psychedelic use (protocol registration number CRD42021242856). RESULTS: Thirty-eight published articles were included, corresponding to 31 studies and 2639 participants, pertaining either to alcohol, opioid, cocaine, or tobacco use disorders. Twelve of the 31 included studies reported a significant decrease in craving scores following psychedelic use. All but two studies had methodological issues, leading to moderate to high risk of bias scores. CONCLUSIONS: Some psychedelics may show promising anti-craving effects, yet the diversity and high risk of bias of extant studies indicate that these results are to be considered with caution. Further well-controlled and larger-scale trials should be encouraged.

Type: Article
Title: Impact of psychedelics on craving in addiction: A systematic review
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1177/02698811241308613
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811241308613
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Clinical, Edu and Hlth Psychology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10208380
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