It’s in full swing: a revolutionary psychedelic study taking place right next door! At the Brugmann Hospital in Brussels, Belgium’s first clinical study on the use of psilocybin has begun. This magical substance, found in magic mushrooms and magic truffles, is now being investigated as a potential treatment for alcohol addiction. News like this is, of course, incredibly interesting for visitors to Dutch-Smart, as many of you are likely familiar with this mind-expanding substance. What exactly does the study entail? Let’s take a look…
What does the study entail?
The research is being led by the psychiatry department at Brugmann Hospital. A total of 62 people will be treated with psilocybin over a two-year period, in both low and high doses. So far, five brave pioneers have already participated in this adventure. The study is “randomized and double-blind,” which means that even the researchers don’t know who is receiving which dose. That sounds complicated, but it helps ensure reliable results.
Psilocybin and strict conditions
Belgium isn’t the only player in this field. Switzerland and Australia already have strict rules for the use of substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD in treatments. But in Belgium, this field remains largely unexplored. The researchers in Brussels spent two years negotiating and figuring things out to secure all the necessary permits for this unique study. Importing, storing, and administering psilocybin is no easy task!
Who are the lucky participants?
Not just anyone can participate. The selected participants are between 21 and 64 years old and must meet strict criteria. For example, people with psychotic or bipolar disorders, or with family members who have such disorders, are excluded. This ensures that the study proceeds as safely as possible.
From illegal to potentially legal?
Psilocybin in its pure form is still considered an illegal substance in Belgium, which means that research on this substance is rare. Nevertheless, the psychiatry department at Brugmann Hospital has managed to obtain the necessary permits. This demonstrates how important and promising this research is. It is a huge step forward, not only for Belgium but for the scientific community as a whole.
The Road to Approval
After obtaining the permits, the clinical trial began in March. The study is designed to compare the effects of both low and high doses of psilocybin. Through this approach, the researchers hope to gain insight into how this substance can contribute to the treatment of alcohol addiction. But what does this mean for the future? If the results are positive, we may see psilocybin used in therapeutic doses in psychiatric treatments in the future. However, there is still a lot of work to be done before that happens, but if the results are positive, we might just see a shift in the perception of this special substance.
Why psilocybin?
Why would you even consider psilocybin for the treatment of alcohol addiction? Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, is known for its hallucinogenic effects. Under controlled conditions and with proper guidance, however, many believe this substance can do much more than just make you hallucinate. Research suggests that some psychedelics can help break destructive behavioral patterns, such as addictions. This is exactly what the researchers at Brugmann Hospital hope to confirm with their study.
What can we expect?
The study will last two years, and the goal is for the substances being studied to eventually be used in therapeutic doses for future psychiatric treatments. The results of this study could be a game-changer in how we view addiction and its treatment. It’s a long road, but the first steps have been taken, and that in itself is a huge achievement. We’re certainly very curious to see what happens!
