This retrospective online survey (n=174) explores the impact of psychoactive drugs on OCD symptoms. Classic psychedelics were the only substances reported effective at reducing OCD symptoms, with symptom reduction associated with the intensity of acute effects and dose. The persistence of the therapeutic effect ranged from weeks to months, and the magnitude and duration of the medicinal impact influenced subsequent intakes.
Abstract of Improvement in OCD symptoms associated with serotoninergic psychedelics
“A renewed interest in the use of psychedelics for treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has emerged in the last 20 years. But pre-clinical and clinical evidence remain scarce, and little is known about the factor determining the magnitude and persistence of the therapeutic effect. We therefore designed a retrospective online survey to explore, in the general population using psychoactive drugs, their impact on OCD symptoms. We also assessed the attitude of the participants towards the substance in term of frequency of intakes. In a sample of 174 participants, classic psychedelics were reported as the only substances effective at reducing OCD symptoms. In classic psychedelics users, symptoms reduction was associated with the intensity of acute effects, itself correlated to the dose. Reports on the persistence of the therapeutic effect varied from weeks to months, but we could not find any predicting factor. Finally, the occurrence and frequency of subsequent intakes, which seemed to be limited in our sample, were predicted by the magnitude and persistence of the therapeutic effect, respectively. Our observations support the hypothesis of classic psychedelics efficacy in reducing OCD symptoms but a careful evaluation of the persistence of this effect is still needed.”
Authors: Anne Buot, Cecile Pallares, Alina Oganesyan, Charles Dauré, Valérie Bonnelle, Eric Burguière, Joao Flores, Alves Dos Santos, Karim N’Diaye, Michael Ljuslin, Pauline Smith, Vincent Verroust, Benjamin Wyplosz, Margot Morgiève & Luc Mallet
Summary of Improvement in OCD symptoms associated with serotoninergic psychedelics
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviours, and avoidance behaviours. Current treatment strategies include psychological interventions, mainly cognitive and behavioural therapy (CBT), and pharmacological interventions, primarily selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), given at higher doses than in other indications.
The therapeutic property of classic psychedelics has been suggested in clinical studies from the 70s, but evidence remains scarce. Some studies have assessed the effect of psychedelics in animal models of compulsive behaviour, but controlled studies are underway with multiple ongoing clinical trials.
A retrospective, online and anonymous survey was conducted to evaluate psychedelics’ use, misuse and potential therapeutic properties in the general population with OCD symptoms. The results indicate that the intensity and pleasantness of acute effects are important factors in shaping the acute response to psychedelics.
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https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39812-0
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Cite this paper (APA)
Buot, A., Pallares, C., Oganesyan, A. et al. Improvement in OCD symptoms associated with serotoninergic psychedelics: a retrospective online survey. Sci Rep 13, 13378 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39812-0
Study details
Topics studied
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Study characteristics
Survey
Participants
174
Humans