Researchers have published the results of a new randomised clinical trial investigating whether psilocybin-assisted therapy could help people living with cocaine use disorder.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, adds to a growing body of research exploring the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies for a range of mental health and behavioural conditions.
Why Is Cocaine Use Disorder Difficult To Treat?
Cocaine use disorder affects millions of people worldwide and can be challenging to overcome. Unlike some other substance use disorders, there are currently no approved medications specifically designed to treat cocaine addiction.
As a result, researchers continue to investigate new approaches that may help people reduce or stop cocaine use and maintain long-term recovery.
What Did The Study Investigate?
Researchers conducted a randomised clinical trial involving adults diagnosed with cocaine use disorder.
Participants received either:
- Psilocybin-assisted therapy
- Placebo-assisted therapy
Both groups also received structured psychotherapy throughout the study.
This is an important detail, as the researchers were investigating psilocybin as part of a therapeutic programme rather than as a standalone intervention.
What Were The Results?
The study found that participants who received psilocybin-assisted therapy achieved higher rates of cocaine abstinence compared with those who received placebo-assisted therapy.
The findings suggest that psilocybin may have the potential to support recovery when used alongside professional psychological support.
However, the researchers emphasised that larger studies will be needed to confirm these findings and better understand the long-term benefits and risks.
How Might Psilocybin Help?
Scientists are still working to understand exactly how psilocybin may influence behaviour change.
Previous research has shown that psilocybin can affect brain networks involved in learning, self-reflection and behavioural flexibility. Researchers believe these effects may help some individuals break established patterns of thought and behaviour while engaging more effectively with psychotherapy.
The psychological experience itself may also provide opportunities for personal insight and reflection that support lasting change.
Important Limitations
While the results are encouraging, they should be interpreted carefully.
This was a controlled clinical trial conducted under medical supervision with psychological support provided throughout the process.
The findings do not mean that psilocybin is an approved treatment for cocaine addiction, nor do they suggest that self-treatment is safe or effective.
Further research involving larger numbers of participants will be necessary before researchers can determine whether psilocybin-assisted therapy could become part of future treatment options for cocaine use disorder.
What Does This Mean For Psychedelic Research?
Over the last decade, interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies has grown rapidly.
Researchers are currently investigating psilocybin’s potential role in conditions including depression, PTSD, alcohol use disorder, tobacco addiction and substance use disorders.
This latest study provides another example of how scientists are exploring the possible therapeutic applications of psychedelic compounds within carefully controlled clinical settings.
While many questions remain unanswered, the findings contribute to an expanding field of research seeking new ways to address some of society’s most challenging health conditions.
Source
Rapoport AB, Dakwar E, Mahoney JJ III, et al. Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Cocaine Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open. 2026.
