Psychedelics help more smokers quit than nicotine patches, study finds

A randomized trial of 82 adult smokers found a single high dose of psilocybin, combined with 13 weeks of talk therapy, led to over 40% quitting at six months versus about 10% for nicotine patches; the study was published in JAMA Network Open.

A randomized trial reported that a single high dose of psilocybin, given with talk therapy, produced higher quit rates than a course of nicotine patches plus the same therapy among adult smokers. The study enrolled 82 psychiatrically healthy adults and compared one supervised psilocybin session with eight-to-ten weeks of nicotine patches, with both groups receiving 13 weeks of counseling. At six months, more than 40% of participants in the psilocybin group were not smoking, compared with about 10% in the nicotine patch group. The research was published in JAMA Network Open and led by Matthew Johnson of Johns Hopkins University. Study findings: - The trial included 82 adult smokers described as psychiatrically healthy and randomized them to a single high psilocybin dose or nicotine patches for eight-to-ten weeks; both groups received 13 weeks of talk therapy. - At six months, over 40% of the psilocybin group were not smoking versus about 10% of the nicotine patch group. - Reported comparisons at six months said psilocybin recipients were three times more likely to have avoided cigarettes in the previous week and six times more likely to remain off nicotine long term. - During psilocybin sessions, participants were monitored for a five-to-six-hour experience; no serious adverse events were reported, though some had temporary blood pressure spikes or intense anxiety. - Investigators propose the treatment's effect comes from psychological changes, altered self-perception and temporary shifts in brain communication and neuroplasticity rather than direct effects on nicotine withdrawal. - The authors note funding for psychedelic-assisted therapy has lagged and call for larger, more diverse trials to evaluate safety and effectiveness. Summary: The trial found higher six-month quit rates with psilocybin-assisted therapy than with nicotine patches in this small sample, and researchers linked the outcomes to psychological and brain-communication effects rather than direct biochemical blockade of nicotine. The study's authors say larger, more diverse trials and appropriate funding and regulatory pathways, including formal FDA evaluation, would be required to further assess safety and access.