This pilot study (n=20) explored using Visual Healing, a nature-themed video, in psilocybin therapy for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Participants either used Visual Healing or standard procedures during sessions. Results showed Visual Healing was safe and didn’t affect the psychedelic experience or alcohol-related outcomes. The study also indicated potential cardiovascular benefits.
Abstract of Nature-themed video intervention may improve cardiovascular safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder
“Introduction: Psychedelic-assisted therapy with psilocybin has shown promise in Phase 2 trials for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Set and setting, particularly factors facilitating a connection with nature, may positively influence the psychedelic experience and therapeutic outcomes. But to date, randomized controlled trials of interventions to enhance set and setting for psychedelic-assisted therapy are lacking.
Methods: This was a pilot randomized, controlled trial of Visual Healing, a nature-themed video intervention to optimize set and setting, versus Standard set and setting procedures with two open-label psilocybin 25 mg dosing sessions among 20 participants with AUD. For the first session, participants randomized to Visual Healing viewed nature-themed videos during the preparation session and the “ascent” and “descent” phases of the psilocybin dosing session while participants randomized to the Standard condition completed a meditation during the preparatory session and wore eyeshades and listened to a music playlist throughout the dosing session. For the second session 4 weeks later, participants chose either Visual Healing or Standard procedures. Primary outcomes were feasibility, safety, and tolerability of Visual Healing. Secondary and exploratory outcomes were changes in alcohol use, psychedelic effects, anxiety and stress.
Results: Nineteen of 20 (95%) randomized participants (mean age 49 ± 11 years, 60% female) completed the 14-week study. During the first psilocybin session, participants viewed an average of 37.9 min of the 42-min video and there were no video-related adverse events. Peak increase in post-psilocybin blood pressure was significantly less for participants randomly assigned to Visual Healing compared to Standard procedures. Alcohol use decreased significantly in both Visual Healing and Standard groups and psychedelic effects, stress, and anxiety were similar between groups.
Discussion: In this open-label pilot study, viewing Visual Healing videos during preparation and psilocybin dosing sessions was feasible, safe, and well-tolerated among participants with AUD. Preliminary findings suggest that Visual Healing has potential to reduce the cardiovascular risks of psychedelic therapy, without interfering with the psychedelic experience or alcohol-related treatment outcomes. Studies to replicate our findings as well as studies of different set and setting interventions with other psychedelic medications and indications are warranted.“
Authors: Keith G. Heinzerling, Karina Sergi, Micah Linton, Rhianna Rich, Brittany Youssef, Inez Bentancourt, Jennifer Bramen, Prabha Siddarth, Louie Schwartzberg & Daniel F. Kelly
Summary of Nature-themed video intervention may improve cardiovascular safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder
1. Introduction
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is an innovative approach that has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of behavioral, mental health, and substance use disorders. It was first used in Canada in the 1950s to treat alcohol use disorder. Following up on Osmond and Hoffer’s experience, a meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials of LSD for AUD found statistically significant reductions in alcohol misuse symptoms at three and 6 months but not 12 months, and increased odds of sustained alcohol abstinence at three but not six months.
A user’s state of mind (set) and the setting for the psychedelic experience have a strong influence on the quality of the experience and subsequent post-experience outcomes. The intensity of the mystical experience is associated with greater postpsychedelic reductions in depression, anxiety, and substance abuse symptoms. In light of these findings, modern psychedelic-assisted therapy trials include standard procedures aimed at creating a mystical, therapeutic, and safe experience, including preparing the participant prior to the dosing session, support from experienced therapists, and a calming physical environment.
A pilot randomized controlled trial was performed to assess the safety and feasibility of integrating Visual Healing, a nature-themed video intervention, within psychedelic-assisted therapy dosing sessions. A pilot trial of a nature-themed video intervention within psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is warranted to determine if it reduces participants’ anxiety and apprehension and fosters an intention to connect with nature thereby reducing the risk of a challenging experience or adverse events and increasing the likelihood of a mystical experience and positive therapeutic outcomes.
Find this paper
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1215972
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Cite this paper (APA)
Heinzerling, K. G., Sergi, K., Linton, M., Rich, R., Youssef, B., Bentancourt, I., ... & Kelly, D. F. Nature-themed video intervention may improve cardiovascular safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1215972.
Study details
Compounds studied
Psilocybin
Topics studied
Alcohol Use Disorder
Study characteristics
Original
Open-Label
Randomized
Participants
20
Humans
Compound Details
The psychedelics given at which dose and how many times
Psilocybin 25 mg | 2xLinked Clinical Trial
Pilot Trial of Visual Healing in Psilocybin-assisted Therapy for Alcohol Use DisorderThis open-label trial (n=20) investigates if psilocybin (n=25mg) and Visual Healing (an 'optimised' set and setting using VR with a nature theme) will be significantly better in treating those with alcohol use disorder than a 'standard' set and setting.