Magic mushrooms may help cocaine addicts kick the habit

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-05-08 01:00

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International researchers say a single dose of psilocybin - the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms - plus psychotherapy could help people with a cocaine addiction stay off the drug. The team gave 36 participants with a cocaine addiction either a single dose of psilocybin or the psychoactive antihistamine and sedative Benadryl. They found, over the 180 days following treatment, those who were given psilocybin were more likely to have cocaine-free days, a higher likelihood of staying off the drug completely, and a reduced risk of going back to it over time, compared with those who were given Benadryl.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, USA

Funder: This study was funded by University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Heffter Research Institute.

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