Exploring new hope in addiction treatment
Methamphetamine use disorder is one of the most difficult addictions to treat, with very few effective therapies currently available. A new study from Australia suggests that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder may offer a safe and feasible path forward. This pilot research marks an important first step in evaluating how psychedelic-assisted care could transform treatment for stimulant-related conditions.
Why this study matters
Methamphetamine use is rising worldwide, bringing major health and social challenges. Traditional treatments such as behavioral therapy and medication often show limited success. Researchers at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney wanted to test whether psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, combined with psychotherapy, could provide a new way to address addiction.
The idea builds on evidence from earlier trials where psilocybin therapy reduced alcohol and nicotine dependence. This study is the first to look at psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy specifically for methamphetamine use disorder in an outpatient setting.
How the trial was designed
The study was a small, open-label pilot involving 15 adults over age 25 who were actively struggling with methamphetamine use. Participants had been using the drug at least four days a month and were seeking treatment.
Before receiving psilocybin, each participant completed three preparation sessions of psychotherapy. The psilocybin session itself involved a single oral dose of 25 mg, guided by trained clinicians. Afterward, participants attended two integration therapy sessions to process their experience.
The therapy approach combined motivational enhancement techniques with acceptance and commitment therapy, designed to help patients explore their behaviors and strengthen long-term recovery goals.
Results of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder
The primary goal of this pilot was to measure safety and feasibility rather than full clinical effectiveness. Encouragingly, the treatment was well-tolerated. No serious safety issues occurred, though some participants reported mild side effects such as temporary high blood pressure, headache, nausea, or sensitivity to noise.
Importantly, methamphetamine use dropped significantly. At baseline, participants reported using methamphetamine about 12 days per month. By day 28 after treatment, that number fell close to zero. Even 90 days later, use remained much lower compared to baseline, with participants averaging only two days of use.
Cravings decreased, and improvements were also seen in depression, anxiety, stress, and overall quality of life scores. Fourteen of the 15 participants completed the treatment process, suggesting strong engagement and feasibility.
What comes next
While these early findings are hopeful, the researchers emphasize that this was a very small, non-randomized study. Larger controlled trials are needed to confirm whether psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder truly offers long-term benefits and how best to integrate it into addiction care.
Still, the study highlights the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy to reach populations with limited treatment options. It also demonstrates that such programs can be safely conducted in outpatient clinical settings with proper preparation and monitoring.
For clinicians, researchers, and patients alike, this research represents an important milestone in exploring how psychedelics may be used responsibly in mental health care.
Conclusion
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder is not yet an established treatment, but this pilot study shows that it is both safe and feasible. As larger clinical trials move forward, this approach could one day become a vital tool for addressing one of the world’s most challenging addictions.
Meta title: Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for Methamphetamine Use Disorder Study
Meta description: A new pilot study explores psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder, showing safety, feasibility, and promising reductions in drug use.
Subtitle: Early research points to psilocybin therapy as a possible breakthrough for stimulant addiction treatment.
Citations:
- Farrell M, Martin NK, Stockings E, Bórquez A, Cepeda JA, Degenhardt L, et al. Responding to global stimulant use: challenges and opportunities. The Lancet. 2019;394(10209):1652–1667. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)32230-5/abstract
- Luquiens A, Belahda D, Graux C, Igounenc N, Serrand C, Rochefort P, et al. Psilocybin in alcohol use disorder and comorbid depressive symptoms: results from a feasibility randomized clinical trial. Addiction. 2025. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.70152