Psychedelics Could Help Combat Alcoholism Recen
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Recently conducted studies have found that psychedelics may be useful in the treatment of various mental conditions, including anxiety, depression and alcoholism.
“Psychedelic” is a term coined by Dr. Humphry Osmond in the 20th century. Osmond, who specialized in psychiatry, theorized that some mental illnesses were brought about by chemical imbalances in the brain. Through his research in the ‘50s, he discovered that these hallucinogenic substances could be used to treat alcoholism.
Alcoholism, or alcohol-use disorder, is defined as an addiction to drinking alcohol. The disorder develops as an individual drinks so much alcohol that their body becomes dependent on the drink, making it hard to function without it. Currently, alcohol is ranked number three among the leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States, with roughly 95,000 individuals losing their lives annually. This figure is significantly higher than the number of individuals who die from other drug overdoses. However, while strides are being taken to combat the opioid epidemic, not much is being done to combat alcoholism.
A 2019 survey carried out by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism also found that one-quarter of individuals in America aged above 18 revealed that they engaged in binge drinking, with more also revealing that they engaged in high-intensity drinking. The coronavirus pandemic only made the situation worse, with the consumption of alcohol rising by almost 40%. One in four adults reported that they had increased their use of alcohol to cope with the anxiety and stress brought on by the pandemic.
The need for more effective treatments for alcoholism has led researchers to develop new therapies, with novel psychedelic-based technologies making this fight even more likely to end in victory. For example, researchers have developed a new psychoactive molecule known as MEAI (5-methoxy-2-aminoindane) to prevent binge drinking. When ingested, this molecule makes the thought of drinking more even after an individual is sated, physically repulsive.
This psychoactive molecule is currently being prepared for FDA registration by Clearmind Medicine Inc.
Alcoholism may be difficult to identify given that it is different for every individual. If you suspect that you or someone you know may be suffering from alcohol-use disorder, you are advised to visit a professional for assessment.
It is important to remember that alcohol-use disorder isn’t caused by a lack of will power but by chemical changes in the brain. Therefore, when someone has a problem with alcohol use and requires assistance to combat this condition, they should consider calling an alcohol addiction hotline and/or seeking professional help.
As research by companies such as Cybin Inc. (NYSE American: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN) advances, there could soon be approved treatments for alcoholism derived from psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Cybin Inc. (NEO: CYBN) (NYSE American: CYBN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CYBN
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