Magic mushroom compound shows promise against cocaine addiction: Small study that prioritized Black and low-income participants yields "remarkable" results.

This article focuses on a pioneering randomized trial investigating psilocybin, the psychedelic component of magic mushrooms, as a treatment for cocaine addiction. Conducted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Heffter Research Institute, the study involved 40 participants—over 80% Black and predominantly low-income—who received either a single dose of psilocybin or an active placebo alongside cognitive behavioral therapy. Results showed that 30% of the psilocybin group achieved complete abstinence from cocaine after 180 days, compared to none in the placebo group, with reduced use among those who continued. The study highlights the potential of psilocybin for treating cocaine use disorder, especially in underserved populations, while emphasizing the need for larger, multisite trials to confirm these findings. [Extracted from the article]