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Improvement in OCD symptoms associated with serotoninergic psychedelics: a retrospective online survey
Anne Buot1, Cecile Pallares2, Alina Oganesyan3
1Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France. anne.buot@icm-institute.org.
Abstract:
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.
Insights
Classic psychedelics show promise for reducing obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. Symptom reduction correlates with acute effects intensity, but persistence factors require further study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- A resurgence in psychedelic research for mental health conditions, particularly obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), has occurred.
- Existing pre-clinical and clinical data on psychedelics for OCD are limited.
- Factors influencing the duration and strength of psychedelic therapeutic effects remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of psychoactive substance use on obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms in the general population.
- To explore user attitudes towards psychedelic substances, including intake frequency.
- To identify potential predictors of therapeutic effect magnitude and persistence.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective online survey was conducted.
- 174 participants who use psychoactive drugs were included.
- Data collected included OCD symptom changes, substance use patterns, and attitudes towards psychedelics.
Main Results:
- Classic psychedelics were the only substances reported to effectively reduce OCD symptoms.
- For classic psychedelic users, symptom reduction intensity correlated with the intensity of acute effects and drug dosage.
- Therapeutic effect persistence varied from weeks to months, with no identifiable predictive factors.
- Subsequent psychedelic use was predicted by the magnitude of therapeutic effect, and frequency by its persistence.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the efficacy of classic psychedelics in alleviating OCD symptoms.
- Further research is necessary to thoroughly evaluate the persistence of these therapeutic effects.
- The study highlights the need for careful consideration of dose and acute effects in psychedelic-assisted therapy for OCD.
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