How a psychedelic found in mushrooms could help fight alcoholism – Drug Target Review

Report on Psilocin’s Therapeutic Potential for Alcohol Use Disorder and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3

Executive Summary

A preclinical study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has identified a potential biological mechanism for treating alcohol use disorder using psilocin, the active compound derived from psilocybin. The research demonstrates that psilocin can temporarily reduce alcohol consumption by dampening neural activity in the central amygdala, a brain region critical for processing stress and emotion. These findings directly support the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), particularly Target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including the harmful use of alcohol.

Research Methodology and Key Findings

The study, led by Sarah Magee and Melissa Herman, investigated the effects of psilocin on alcohol consumption in a controlled laboratory setting. The primary objective was to elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for addiction.

• Study Subjects: The experiments were conducted on female mice, a model chosen for their tendency to consume higher amounts of alcohol than males.
• Neurological Focus: Researchers focused on neurons within the central amygdala, a region known to regulate stress responses and emotional behavior, which are often implicated in alcohol use disorders.
• Experimental Procedure: Mice with long-term alcohol exposure were administered psilocin, and their subsequent alcohol consumption and neural activity were monitored.

Principal Outcomes

1. Reduced Neural Activity: Psilocin was found to significantly reduce the activity of neurons in the central amygdala.
2. Decreased Alcohol Consumption: This dampening of neural activity correlated with a temporary reduction in alcohol drinking while the drug was active.
3. Consistent Effect: The reduction in consumption was observed in mice with both mild and severe long-term alcohol exposure, suggesting psilocin influences the emotional and stress-related drivers of drinking behavior.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

This research provides critical insights that align with the global effort to achieve SDG 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

• Contribution to Target 3.5: The study directly addresses SDG Target 3.5, which calls for strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including the harmful use of alcohol. By identifying a potential therapeutic pathway, this research lays the groundwork for novel treatments for alcohol use disorder.
• Promotion of Mental Health: The findings link psilocin’s effects to the regulation of stress and emotion, which are central to many psychiatric conditions. This supports the broader SDG 3 goal of promoting mental health and well-being, as the mechanism may also apply to treatments for depression and anxiety.
• Advancement of Scientific Research: By filling gaps in the understanding of how psychedelics work in the brain, this preclinical work is essential for developing safe and effective clinical therapies, contributing to the overall advancement of global health solutions.

Conclusion and Future Directions

The findings from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provide a foundational, mechanistic understanding of how psilocin may assist in treating alcohol addiction. By demonstrating that the compound reduces activity in stress-related brain circuits, the study informs the growing body of clinical research into psychedelic-assisted therapies. While still in the preclinical stage, this work represents a significant step toward developing innovative treatments for alcohol use disorder and other mental health conditions, thereby contributing to the successful achievement of the health and well-being targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article directly addresses health issues by focusing on a potential new treatment for alcohol addiction, which is a substance use disorder. It also mentions the broader application of the research to other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, aligning with the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• The article highlights the importance of scientific research and innovation in developing new medical treatments. The study from the University of North Carolina represents an effort to advance scientific understanding (“preclinical work like this is necessary for filling gaps in knowledge”) to create innovative therapeutic approaches for mental health and addiction, which connects to the goal of fostering innovation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

• The entire article is centered on this target. It describes research aimed at developing a new treatment to “help to treat people struggling with alcohol addiction” and “reduce alcohol consumption.” The study’s goal is to inform “future therapeutic approaches” and “improve outcomes for people with alcohol use disorder.”

Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

• The research is relevant to the promotion of mental health and well-being. The article notes that psilocybin has potential for treating “depression, anxiety and substance use disorders” and that the findings provide “mechanistic insight in those contexts, too.” By exploring treatments that improve “emotional regulation and stress resilience,” the research contributes to this target.

Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries…including…encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers…

• The article is a report on a scientific study that exemplifies the process of enhancing scientific research. It discusses the need for “preclinical work” and “further research towards understanding how psilocin affects brain function.” This effort to “develop their understanding of exactly how they work in the brain” is a direct contribution to the goal of enhancing scientific research to foster innovation in healthcare.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Reduction in Alcohol Consumption

• The article explicitly mentions a key finding from the study: “psilocin reduced the activity of neurons in the central amygdala. This dampening effect was linked to a temporary reduction in alcohol drinking.” This directly implies an indicator for Target 3.5, which is the measurement of alcohol consumption levels to gauge the effectiveness of a treatment.

Development of New Therapeutic Approaches

• The study itself represents an indicator of progress. The article states that the findings “provide a basis for further research towards understanding how psilocin affects brain function related to addiction” and help “refine future therapeutic approaches.” This research activity is an implied indicator for Target 3.5 (coverage of treatment interventions) and Target 9.5 (enhancing scientific research).

Changes in Brain Activity

• The research identified a specific biological mechanism: psilocin “reduced the activity of neurons in the central amygdala.” This change in neural activity in brain regions linked to stress and emotion serves as a scientific indicator of the drug’s effect and its potential to improve mental well-being, relevant to Target 3.4.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: drugtargetreview.com