Study Finds Psilocybin Could Reduce Fentanyl Cravings in Females

Researchers at Colorado State University's Department of Biomedical Sciences discovered that psilocybin exposure reduced fentanyl cravings in female laboratory mice, according to a study published in August in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. Notably, this effect was observed only in female subjects, and the psychedelic did not trigger anxiety-like behaviors in the animals. This preclinical finding represents a promising avenue in addiction research, as the opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities. While further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and potential human applications, these results suggest psilocybin-assisted therapies may offer new treatment options for opioid use disorder.