Enduring changes in personality/attitudes , depression , spirituality , anxiety , wellbeing , substance misuse , meditative practice s , and mindfulness were documented .
Mystical experiences , connectedness , emotional breakthrough , and increased neural entropy were related to these long-term changes in psychological functioning .
Finally , with proper screening , preparation , supervision , and integration , limited aversive side effects were noted by study participants .
Research into the basic effects and therapeutic applications of  psychedelic drugs  has grown considerably in recent years .
Yet , pressing questions remain regarding the substances ' lasting effects .
Although individual studies have begun monitoring sustained changes , no study to- date has synthesized this information .
Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use
Background : Meta- analysis of r and omized studies using lysergic acid diethylamide ( LSD ) for alcohol use disorder ( AUD ) showed large , significant effects for LSD efficacy compared to control conditions . Clinical studies suggest potential anti-addiction effects of LSD and mechanistically-related classic psychedelics for alcohol and other substance use disorders . Aims : To supplement clinical studies , reports of psychedelic use in naturalistic setting s can provide further data regarding potential effects of psychedelics on alcohol use . Methods : An anonymous online survey of individuals with prior AUD reporting cessation or reduction in alcohol use following psychedelic use in non- clinical setting s. Results : 343 respondents , mostly White ( 89 % ) , males ( 78 % ) , in the USA ( 60 % ) completed the survey . Participants reported seven years of problematic alcohol use on average before the psychedelic experience to which they attributed reduced alcohol consumption , with 72 % meeting retrospective criteria for severe AUD . Most reported taking a moderate or high dose of LSD ( 38 % ) or psilocybin ( 36 % ) , followed by significant reduction in alcohol consumption . After the psychedelic experience 83 % no longer met AUD criteria . Participants rated their psychedelic experience as highly meaningful and insightful , with 28 % endorsing psychedelic-associated changes in life priorities or values as facilitating reduced alcohol misuse . Greater psychedelic dose , insight , mystical-type effects , and personal meaning of experiences were associated with a greater reduction in alcohol consumption , controlling for prior alcohol consumption and related distress . Conclusions : Although results can not demonstrate causality , they suggest that naturalistic psychedelic use may lead to cessation or reduction in problematic alcohol use , supporting further investigation of psychedelic-assisted treatment for AUD
Enduring changes in personality/attitudes , depression , spirituality , anxiety , wellbeing , substance misuse , meditative practice s , and mindfulness were documented .
Mystical experiences , connectedness , emotional breakthrough , and increased neural entropy were related to these long-term changes in psychological functioning .
Finally , with proper screening , preparation , supervision , and integration , limited aversive side effects were noted by study participants .
Research into the basic effects and therapeutic applications of  psychedelic drugs  has grown considerably in recent years .
Yet , pressing questions remain regarding the substances ' lasting effects .
Although individual studies have begun monitoring sustained changes , no study to- date has synthesized this information .