Can Psychedelics Help Alcohol Addiction? New Research on 5-MeO-DMT Treatment
Can a single dose of a fast-acting psychedelic help people overcome alcohol addiction?
Synopsis: A first-of-its-kind clinical trial from King's College London tested a nasal spray containing 5-MeO-DMT in people with severe alcohol use disorder. Results showed that 50% of participants achieved continuous abstinence over 12 weeks, with most others significantly reducing their drinking.
Can Psychedelics Help Alcohol Addiction? New Research on 5-MeO-DMT Treatment
Alcohol addiction is a stubborn and devastating condition. It affects millions of people worldwide, tearing apart families, careers, and lives (1). The standard treatments, such as medications like naltrexone and therapy programs, can help some people, but the success rates are disappointingly low. Two-thirds of people who receive treatment for alcohol use disorder relapse within six months (2). This has left many people feeling hopeless, wondering if there is anything that can truly help them break free from the grip of alcohol.
Now, a groundbreaking new study from King's College London offers a glimmer of hope. Researchers tested a novel nasal spray containing 5-MeO-DMT, a fast-acting psychedelic, in people with severe alcohol use disorder (3). The results were remarkable: 50% of participants achieved complete abstinence over a 12-week period, and most of the others significantly reduced their drinking. This is a dramatic improvement over the typical outcomes seen with standard treatments.
What is 5-MeO-DMT?
5-MeO-DMT is a powerful psychedelic compound that occurs naturally in certain plants and in the venom of the Colorado River toad. It has been used for centuries in indigenous spiritual practices. In recent years, scientists have become interested in its potential as a therapeutic tool. What makes 5-MeO-DMT unique is its incredibly short duration of action. While other psychedelics like psilocybin can produce effects that last for four to six hours, the effects of 5-MeO-DMT typically last only 15 to 20 minutes (4). This makes it much more practical for use in a clinical setting.
The experience of 5-MeO-DMT is often described as intense and profound. Users report a sense of unity, interconnectedness, and a dissolution of the ego. These experiences can be deeply healing, helping people to see their problems from a new perspective and to let go of old patterns of behavior.
The King's College London Study: A New Approach
The study from King's College London was the first clinical trial to test 5-MeO-DMT specifically for alcohol use disorder (3). The researchers recruited 13 people with severe alcohol addiction. All of the participants had tried to quit drinking before, but had been unsuccessful. They were given a single 10 mg dose of 5-MeO-DMT via a nasal spray in a controlled, supportive environment. In addition to the psychedelic session, participants also received a 10-week program of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to help prevent relapse.
The results were striking. At the start of the study, participants were drinking heavily on an average of 56% of days. By the end of the 12-week follow-up period, heavy drinking days had dropped to just 13%. The percentage of abstinent days increased from 33% at the start to 81% at the end. Half of the participants were completely abstinent for the entire 12 weeks. Another 25% had meaningful reductions in their drinking. Only 25% saw no change or limited change.
Why Does 5-MeO-DMT Work?
The exact mechanisms by which 5-MeO-DMT helps with alcohol addiction are not fully understood, but researchers have some ideas. One theory is that the intense mystical experience can help to "reset" the brain's reward system. Alcohol addiction is, in part, a problem of the brain's reward circuitry becoming hijacked by alcohol. The brain learns to crave alcohol above all else. A powerful psychedelic experience may be able to interrupt this pattern and help the brain to relearn healthier ways of seeking pleasure and meaning.
Another important factor is the psychological insights that can emerge during a psychedelic experience. Many people with alcohol addiction are using alcohol to cope with underlying emotional pain, trauma, or feelings of emptiness. The 5-MeO-DMT experience can help people to confront these issues in a safe and supported way. It can provide a sense of perspective and a renewed sense of purpose, which can be powerful motivators for change.
The Advantage of a Short Duration
One of the key advantages of 5-MeO-DMT over other psychedelics is its short duration. A psilocybin therapy session can take an entire day, which can be logistically challenging and emotionally exhausting. With 5-MeO-DMT, the acute effects are over in less than half an hour. This makes it easier to fit into a busy schedule and may be less intimidating for people who are nervous about trying psychedelics.
The short duration also means that therapists can provide more focused support during the experience. They can be fully present and attentive for the entire duration of the psychedelic effects, helping to guide the individual through any difficult moments and to maximize the therapeutic benefit.
Is 5-MeO-DMT Safe?
The study found that 5-MeO-DMT was generally well-tolerated. The most common side effects were temporary pain at the site of administration, transient increases in blood pressure, and some participants experienced flashbacks or nightmares in the weeks following the session (3). These side effects were all mild to moderate in severity, and no participants dropped out of the study because of them.
It's important to emphasize that this treatment was delivered in a carefully controlled clinical setting with trained professionals. The 5-MeO-DMT used was pure and the dose was precisely measured. This is very different from using 5-MeO-DMT obtained from unregulated sources, which can be dangerous.
A New Path Forward
The results of this study are incredibly encouraging, but they are just the beginning. The study was small and did not include a control group, so larger, more rigorous trials are needed to confirm these findings. However, the early evidence suggests that 5-MeO-DMT could be a game-changer for people struggling with alcohol addiction.
If you or someone you love is battling alcohol use disorder, it's important to know that there are new options emerging. Psychedelic-assisted therapy is not a magic bullet, but it offers a new path forward for people who have not found success with traditional treatments. It requires courage, commitment, and a willingness to confront difficult emotions, but for many, it could be the key to lasting recovery.
If you are interested in exploring whether psychedelic-assisted therapy might be right for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation. A consultation is a safe, confidential space to discuss your history, ask questions, and learn more about this innovative approach to healing.
References
(1) World Health Organization. (2024, June 25). Over 3 million annual deaths due to alcohol and drug use, majority among men. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/25-06-2024-over-3-million-annual-deaths-due-to-alcohol-and-drug-use-majority-among-men
(2) Nguyen, L. C., et al. (2020). Predicting Relapse After Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 40(3). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8476113/
(3) Marsden, J., Kelleher, M., Dunbar, F., et al. (2025). 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) for alcohol use disorder: An open-label, phase 2, proof-of-concept, clinical trial. Addiction. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/add.70260
(4) Ramaekers, J. G., et al. (2025). Benefits and Challenges of Ultra-Fast, Short-Acting Psychedelics. American Journal of Psychiatry, 182(1), 12-18. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20230890
(5) Jefferson, S. J., et al. (2023). 5-MeO-DMT modifies innate behaviors and promotes structural neural plasticity in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology, 48(8), 1257-1266. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-023-01572-w
Disclaimer: Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy has not been approved by any regulatory agencies in the United States, and the safety and efficacy are still not formally established at the time of this writing.