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Just One or Two Doses of Psilocybin Can Cure Alcoholism?- The Latest Psychedelic Medical Research is Amazing!

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psilocybin for alcoholism studies

All addictive behaviors are complex health issues to treat, especially when it’s already in severe stages.

 

Alcoholism is already defined as a medical disorder characterized by the patients’ inability to control their consumption of alcohol, no matter how much damage it’s causing their health and their lives. However, the symptoms of alcoholism occur in a spectrum since its characteristics vary greatly from one person to another. That said, they all have one thing in common: a major dependence on alcohol, whether psychological or physical.

 

Also known as alcohol use disorder, this condition is challenging to treat. The physical and psychological dependence, social influences, environment, and risk of relapse all play an important role. That’s why treating alcoholism usually takes a long period of time, anywhere from a few weeks to months at a time. In addition, alcohol withdrawals can be so dangerous that some patients may be required to check into a treatment center, rehab, or hospital just so that they can be safely monitored in the process.

How Small Doses Of Magic Mushrooms Help

 

However, psilocybin or magic mushrooms have been promising for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Recent studies have shed light on the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin for alcoholism, specifically its efficacy and quick-acting mechanisms.

 

A recent study conducted by investigators at the University of Copenhagen together with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism revealed that just one dose of psilocybin taken from magic mushrooms was successful in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). The study involved 10 adults, who were already seeking treatment for their condition; they were all diagnosed with severe alcohol use disorder.


They were asked to complete a treatment protocol including two sessions for preparation, a 25mg dose of psilocybin, then two integration sessions. The researchers had the primary goal of analyzing whether just one dose of psilocybin already had any impact on alcohol consumption. They found that there was a significant reduction among the patients’ alcohol consumption following psilocybin therapy; this was observed in the quantity of heavy drinking days and average number of alcoholic drinks consumed, which dropped by 37.5 percentage points and 3.4 units respectively.

 

In addition, the participants also observed sustained decreases in alcohol cravings.


Meanwhile, there was another study from 2022 conducted by investigators at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine that assessed 93 participants with alcohol dependence. For the trials, they were randomly given either 2 doses of psilocybin or a placebo containing antihistamine. The participants, as well as the researchers, weren’t aware of which was given to whom.

 

It was interesting to find that just 8 months after the treatment, the participants who were given psilocybin were found to reduce heavy drinking by as much as 83%. On the other hand, the participants given placebo cut down drinking by 51%. Other notable findings include the fact that 48% of participants, who were given psilocybin, were found to have quit alcohol completely – also 8 months after treatment.

“Our findings strongly suggest that psilocybin therapy is a promising means of treating alcohol use disorder, a complex disease that has proven notoriously difficult to manage,” explains Michael P. Bogenschutz MD, the study’s senior author as well as a psychiatrist. Bogenschutz also functions as a director of the NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine.

 

“As research into psychedelic treatment grows, we find more possible applications for mental health conditions,” adds Dr. Bogenschutz. “Beyond alcohol use disorder, this approach may prove useful in treating other addictions such as cigarette smoking and abuse of cocaine and opioids,” he said.  

Why Is This Important?

Over the last few years, thanks to the legalization of marijuana, more people are shifting to the so-called ‘California sober’ lifestyle. Giving up alcohol, as opposed to drinking it, is perceived (rightly so) as the healthier option while getting drunk is no longer seen as cool.


We’re on the right track, but there’s still so much work to be done. No matter how you put it, alcohol is still a deadly and highly poisonous substance that is dangerously so accessible because it’s legal. In fact, alcohol is literally a legal drug that can easily kill you. That said, there is still a whopping 28.9 million people aged 12 and up who struggle with alcohol use disorder, according to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.


Simultaneously, there’s more research than ever discussing the harms of alcohol. It does so much more to the human body than harm your liver: the body receives it as poison from the very first sip, and it affects all organs more than you know. The facts are there, and they are horrifying, so it’s in your best interest to stop drinking altogether.

 

Conclusion

 

Psilocybin-assisted therapy is already on the rise in North America – though there are also several notable psychedelic healing centers in Mexico and The Americas. That, and the development of psilocybin-focused medical centers in the most renowned medical schools and hospitals in the country are proof of just how popular – and promising – psilocybin is becoming.


So if you are interested in using psychedelics to treat alcoholism, perhaps for yourself or someone in your life, you can now explore these options. Alcoholism is not one that you can or should self-medicate with, due to the extreme dangers imposed by withdrawals. Seek out professional medical supervision for the best, safest results using psilocybin to treat alcoholism!

 

PSYCHEDELICS FOR ALCOHOLISM, WHAT WE KNOW, READ ON…

CAN PSYCHEDELICS HELP ALCOHOLICS

WHAT PSYCHEDELICS CAN DO FOR ALCOHOLICS, WE NOW KNOW..



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Colorado Could Become a Global Hub for Marijuana Genetics

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Ability to source marijuana genetic material from outside Colorado

Senate Bill 23-271, which went into effect in early 2024, aims to enhance Colorado’s marijuana industry. A key provision allows licensed marijuana cultivators to source “genetic material” from approved entities in other jurisdictions. Genetic material is defined as material used to propagate cannabis plants, including:

  • Immature plants and small plant fragments with ≤0.3% D9 THC on a dry weight basis;
  • Cannabis seeds, which grow into marijuana; and
  • Tissue cultures.

This law significantly expands sourcing options for Colorado cultivators, including opportunities, both domestic and international. Colorado cultivators can now bring in popular OG strains from around the world.

The anticipated marketing frenzy, however, hasn’t fully materialized. The answer lies in the complexity of transporting genetics across state and international lines.

That’s where we come in. With years of experience advising clients on compliant cross-border transportation, we understand the nuances in the law. Below is a high-level overview of the challenges involved. If you or your clients are ready to make an impact in Colorado’s market, please reach out to me or my team— we’d be happy to assist.

Marijuana genetics: are they hemp or marijuana?

This question – the Schrödinger’s Cat of the cannabis industry – is both simple and complex. In short, under federal law, marijuana genetics appear to be hemp. However, they are neither strictly hemp nor marijuana until a state makes that determination. In fact, in some states they may be both marijuana and hemp.

  • “Marihuana” (referred to in this blog post as “marijuana”) is defined in the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”), as “all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds or resin.”
  • Marijuana does not include “hemp” as defined in the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (the “2018 Farm Bill”).
  • Hemp is defined as the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 THC concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.

In January 2022, the DEA issued a letter stating that cannabis seeds and other genetic material with ≤0.3% D9 THC meet the definition of hemp and aren’t controlled substances. Importantly, the DEA further clarified in a December 2022 letter that if the cannabis seed germinates into material exceeding 0.3% THC, then “that material” falls within CSA control. DEA’s use of “that material” rather than specifying the seed used to grow “that material” further supports that DEA, at least for now, does not view marijuana genetics (testing at ≤0.3% THC on a dry weight basis) as marijuana.

While these DEA letters aren’t legally binding, they suggest that marijuana genetics, when testing at ≤0.3% D9 THC, are considered hemp under federal law.

State complexities with marijuana and hemp genetics

Since marijuana genetics are currently treated as hemp under federal law, they can move across U.S. state and international lines. However, the 2018 Farm Bill allows states to impose stricter laws.

Some states, like neighboring Arizona, define marijuana genetics as material that will only grow into hemp. Others, like Arkansas, do not expressly exempt “hemp” form the definition of “marijuana,” creating a situation where the genetics are both hemp and marijuana. And States like Mississippi and Minnesota prohibit the sale of cannabis sativa seeds all together.

Understanding both federal and state laws is critical to ensuring a compliant transfer into Colorado. If the exporting state defines the genetics as hemp and permits exports, cultivators can likely import them into Colorado. If the exporting state does not define marijuana genetics as hemp, then selling or transporting marijuana genetics could lead to criminal violations under a state’s marijuana laws.

International considerations

An international import of marijuana genetics must comply with both state, federal, and international laws. As long as the export meets USDA and Customs requirements, federal law typically won’t pose an issue. However, it’s essential to consider the laws of the exporting country, and importing US state, ensuring that the genetics are classified as hemp by both governments. Otherwise, the transport may not only violate a US state’s laws, but also international law.

Conclusion

Licensed Colorado cultivators seeking unique marijuana strains from outside the state—whether from California, Oregon, or countries like Colombia and Jamaica—must navigate both federal and state laws. Harris Sliwoski has extensive experience helping operators transfer cannabis genetics. With our new Denver office, we are ready to assist Colorado cultivators with global genetics imports. A “Tour de Cannabis” anyone?



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America’s Constitutional Conundrum: Guns and Ganja

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gun rights and medical marijuana

Of Guns and Ganja: America’s Constitutional Conundrum

 

If there’s one thing America is famous for, it’s guns – and lots of ’em! In the land of the free and home of the brave, firearms aren’t just a right, they’re practically a national pastime. With over 400 million firearms floating around a nation of 330 million people, it’s safe to say that guns are as American as apple pie and baseball.

But you know what else Americans love? Drugs. The US remains the world’s largest drug market, with an particularly passionate affair with cannabis. Mary Jane has come a long way since the “Just Say No” propaganda of the D.A.R.E. days. Now, millions of Americans legally light up in their home states, transforming from “criminals” to “consumers” faster than you can say “tax revenue.”

Here’s where things get sticky though. Despite the Biden administration’s vague promises of reform, cannabis remains stubbornly classified as a Schedule I substance at the federal level. This creates a peculiar predicament for freedom-loving Americans who appreciate both their Second Amendment rights and their evening toke.

You see, there’s this obscure interpretation of federal law that says if you consume cannabis – even legally in your state – you’re technically not allowed to own firearms. Let that sink in for a moment: in a country with more guns than people, where cannabis is legally sold in most states, you’re forced to choose between your constitutional right to bear arms and your state-sanctioned right to consume a plant.

As you might imagine, telling Americans they can’t have their guns AND their ganja isn’t exactly going over well. It’s a uniquely American saga that pits state rights against federal law, personal freedom against bureaucratic overreach, and common sense against, well… whatever you’d call this situation.

Let’s dive into this bizarre legal battleground where constitutional rights and cannabis collide.

As America’s cannabis landscape evolves, we’re witnessing a fascinating legal tug-of-war between state sovereignty and federal authority. The latest battleground? The constitutional rights of cannabis consumers to bear arms.

In a groundbreaking decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently reaffirmed that banning occasional marijuana users from owning firearms is unconstitutional. The case, known as U.S. v. Daniels, centers around a man who was sentenced to four years in prison after police found trace amounts of cannabis and firearms during a routine traffic stop. Talk about wrong place, wrong time!

The federal government, particularly under the Biden administration, has been performing some impressive mental gymnastics to justify their position. Their argument? Cannabis users with guns “endanger public safety,” “pose a greater risk of suicide,” and are more likely to commit crimes “to fund their drug habit.” They’ve even argued that cannabis consumers are “unlikely to store their weapons properly.” I guess they never met my ex-military uncle who meticulously organizes his gun safe while enjoying his evening edible.

But here’s where it gets really interesting. The Department of Justice claims the restriction is perfectly constitutional because it aligns with the nation’s history of disarming “dangerous” individuals. They’re essentially putting cannabis users in the same category as folks with domestic violence restraining orders. As someone who’s spent considerable time around both cannabis users and domestic abusers (professionally, of course), I can tell you there’s a slight difference in temperament.

The courts, however, aren’t buying it. As the Fifth Circuit pointed out, the government failed to prove that Daniels was “presently or even regularly intoxicated at the time of arrest.” They noted that even if the government had proven frequent intoxication, they offered “no Founding-era law or practice of disarming ordinary citizens ‘even if their intoxication was routine.'”

The ruling doesn’t completely invalidate the federal statute (known as § 922(g)(3)), but it does expose its shaky constitutional foundation. As the court stated, “This is not a windfall for defendants charged under § 922(g)(3),” but rather a recognition that the government’s enforcement approach is fundamentally flawed.

Meanwhile, the National Rifle Association (NRA) – not exactly known for their progressive stance on substances – acknowledges the absurdity of the situation. They point out that “marijuana use is no longer limited to the domain of indigenous religious customs or youth-oriented counterculture and now includes a wide variety of people who use it for medicinal or recreational reasons.” When even the NRA is suggesting your gun control measure might be a bit extreme, you know something’s amiss.

The result of all this legal wrangling? A patchwork of confusion where state-legal cannabis users must choose between their Second Amendment rights and their medicine or recreational preference. It’s a prime example of how federal prohibition creates more problems than it solves, forcing otherwise law-abiding citizens to become unwitting criminals simply for exercising multiple legal rights simultaneously.

Welcome to America, folks, where you can have your guns or your ganja, but apparently not both – at least until the courts finish sorting out this constitutional cannabis conundrum.

Let me be blunt – we’re caught in a classic American political pretzel. The Biden administration dangles the carrot of rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III, making vague promises that sound good on the campaign trail but do little to address the fundamental issues plaguing cannabis consumers, including their right to bear arms.

While some celebrate these baby steps toward reform, I’ve been around this block enough times to know that rescheduling is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It might stop some bleeding, but it doesn’t address the underlying trauma. The gun rights issue is just one of many complications that arise from cannabis’s continued inclusion in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: there’s only one real solution, and it runs straight through the halls of Congress. The same body that created this mess with the CSA in 1971 is the only one with the power to truly fix it. Congress needs to completely remove cannabis from the CSA – not reschedule it, not modify its status, but fully deschedule it.

Think about it. Rescheduling to Schedule III would still leave cannabis in a weird legal limbo. Sure, it might make research easier and give Big Pharma more room to play, but what about the millions of Americans who use cannabis medicinally or recreationally in their state-legal markets? They’d still be federal criminals, still banned from purchasing firearms, still caught in the crossfire between state and federal law.

The only path forward is complete removal from the CSA, coupled with a federal framework that respects state markets while establishing basic national standards. This would resolve the gun rights issue overnight – no more choosing between your Second Amendment rights and your medicine or recreational preference.

Would I love to see Congress completely overhaul the CSA? Absolutely. The entire scheduling system is based on outdated science and political theater rather than actual harm reduction principles. But let’s be realistic – that’s about as likely as finding bipartisan agreement on… well, anything these days.

Instead, we need to focus on what’s achievable: complete cannabis descheduling. This isn’t just about guns and ganja – it’s about fixing a broken system that’s created countless legal paradoxes and unnecessary criminal penalties. It’s about acknowledging that the emperor has no clothes, that cannabis prohibition has failed, and that it’s time to move forward with a sensible federal policy.

Until Congress acts, we’ll continue to see these legal battles play out in courts across the country, watching judges try to reconcile constitutional rights with outdated federal drug laws. It’s a waste of judicial resources, taxpayer money, and most importantly, it’s a waste of Americans’ time and freedom.

The solution is clear. The only question is: how many more Americans need to get caught in this legal crossfire before Congress finally does its job?

 

Inspiration:

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/federal-court-reaffirms-that-ban-

on-gun-ownership-for-people-who-occasionally-use-marijuana-is-unconstitutional/

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/nra-says-federal-ban-on-

marijuana-amid-state-level-legalization-has-created-confusing-legal-landscape-for-gun-owners/

 

CANNABIS AND GUN RIGHTS, READ ON…

CANNABIS USERS GUNS RIGHT

WHY CAN’T MMJ PATIENTS OWN GUNS, AGAIN? READ THIS!



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MLK Day 2025: Cannabis and Civil Rights

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It’s MLK Day once again.

I’ve been writing an MLK Day post on this blog for eight consecutive years. The theme of my posts is that cannabis is a civil rights issue, and that Dr. King would have advocated for ending prohibition based on that fact.

Each year, I have demonstrated with facts (upon facts upon facts) that the War on Drugs continues in insidious ways. In, 2023, which is the most recent year that FBI data is available, law enforcement officials made over 200,000 arrests for marijuana-related convictions. Those 200,000 arrests constitute roughly 25% of all drug-related arrests.

Sadly, arrests of black people constituted 29% of all drug arrests in 2023, although only 13.6% of Americans are black.

Heading into MLK Day weekend, President Biden announced that he is commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses. The focus was predominantly on individuals “who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine…”, as opposed to cannabis-related crimes. According to the Last Prisoner Project, “the total number of those incarcerated for cannabis who received commutations is not knows, but nine LPP constituents will be free.”

For all that Biden promised as to cannabis, it’s the least we could have asked. Under the new Trump administration, attention will quickly return to the frustrating marijuana rescheduling process. If cannabis ends up on Schedule III, criminal penalties for traffickers may soften, but make no mistake: possessing and distributing cannabis will still be a federal crime.

At the state level, where most arrest occur, progress has slowed in the last few years. Out here where I live in Oregon, with our 800 cannabis stores, it’s astonishing to think of 200,000 annual cannabis arrests– most for simple possession, no less.

There is a lot of work to do. Here are a short list of organizations if you’d like to get involved:

For prior posts in this series:



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