Psilocybin Shows Promise as Aid to Quit Smoking, Study Finds

The decades-long effort to reduce smoking rates may have found an unlikely ally: psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms. A modern study from Johns Hopkins University suggests that a single dose of psilocybin, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, significantly increases the chances of successfully quitting smoking compared to traditional nicotine replacement therapy.

While research into psychedelics has largely focused on mental health conditions like depression and PTSD, this study highlights a potential new avenue for addiction treatment. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, demonstrate a more than six-fold increase in abstinence rates at six months for participants who received psilocybin compared to those using nicotine patches. This builds on earlier, smaller research conducted by the same team over a decade ago, and has spurred further investigation with NIH funding.

How the Study Worked

The Johns Hopkins trial involved 82 current smokers randomly assigned to either a psilocybin group or a nicotine patch group. Both groups as well participated in 13 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy, a common component of smoking cessation programs. Crucially, all participants in the psilocybin group received a relatively high dose of pure psilocybin during a single session, and were aware they were receiving the drug – a design choice made due to the challenges of effectively blinding participants in psychedelic research. During the psilocybin session, participants lay in a comfortable room with eye shades and listened to music, allowing for a self-directed experience supported by facilitators.

The results were striking. At the six-month mark, 17 participants in the psilocybin group had remained abstinent from cigarettes, compared to only four in the nicotine patch group. Study author Matthew Johnson, a professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins, described the magnitude of the effect as “surprising.”

Beyond Nicotine: Psilocybin’s Potential in Addiction Treatment

This research isn’t happening in isolation. Interest is growing in the potential of psychedelic compounds to address various forms of addiction. Studies are underway exploring psilocybin for alcohol dependence, with promising early results. Ibogaine, another psychedelic substance, is gaining attention for its potential in treating opioid use disorder, and has even prompted discussion among veterans and lawmakers.

Still, Dr. Brian Barnett, an addiction psychiatrist at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, emphasizes that the therapeutic support surrounding psilocybin administration is likely a critical component of its success. “It’s not the drug by itself here,” he says. “It’s really harnessing the neuroplastic and learning effects that happen after the [drug] exposure.”

How Psilocybin Might Function: A Shift in Perspective

The precise mechanisms by which psilocybin aids smoking cessation are still being investigated. Brain imaging data from the Johns Hopkins study, currently under analysis, may provide further insights. However, researchers believe psilocybin’s effects extend beyond simply addressing nicotine cravings. Johnson notes that participants often report a shift in perspective and a newfound sense of agency, allowing them to break free from ingrained patterns of behavior.

This aligns with emerging research suggesting psilocybin can impact multiple hallmarks of aging, including reducing oxidative stress, improving DNA repair responses, and preserving telomere length – processes that influence chronic disease onset. A 2025 study from Emory University even found that psilocin, a byproduct of psilocybin, extended the cellular lifespan of human skin and lung cells by more than 50%, and increased survival rates in aged mice by 30%.

The Broader Context of Smoking Cessation

Despite the availability of several medications and therapies, smoking remains a significant public health challenge, remaining the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Currently, seven medications are approved for smoking cessation, including nicotine replacement products and medications like varenicline, and bupropion. A third medication is expected to receive FDA approval later this year. However, even with these resources, long-term success rates remain relatively low, with approximately 70% of those attempting to quit ultimately relapsing.

What’s Next for Psilocybin Research?

The promising results of the Johns Hopkins study are prompting further investigation. Researchers are currently conducting a larger trial with a placebo arm to confirm these findings and address limitations of the initial study design. The National Institutes of Health is supporting this expanded research. The field is also navigating regulatory hurdles, as psilocybin remains a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, limiting research opportunities. A recent attempt to fast-track review of a psilocybin-based depression drug was blocked earlier this year, suggesting potential discord regarding the development of this new class of therapies.

For individuals struggling to quit smoking, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to discuss available options and develop a personalized cessation plan. While psilocybin shows promise, it is not yet an approved treatment and should only be considered within the context of a clinical trial.