ADDICTION

Both N, N-Dimethyltryptamine, and 5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine are potent psychoactive substances capable of causing brief and intense psychedelic effects when consumed, which may benefit those suffering from substance abuse.

Ibogaine is a plant-based medicine currently being explored as a treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). It is a naturally occurring indole alkaloid extracted from the root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga, a shrub native to rainforests in Western Africa (Schep,et al). Indigenous groups have used it safely for medicinal and religious purposes for centuries (Davis,et al). Currently, it is being investigated to remove cravings and help relieve withdrawals for opioid users (Schelp, Slaughter). However, the mechanisms of action are still novel, making it difficult to mitigate adverse side effects (Alper). While ibogaine has a history of therapeutic value, thorough clinical research is still lacking.

Psilocybin has been present in the scientific community since the 1960s, but only recently has been considered for treatment of addiction. Currently, the FDA has designated psilocybin as a “Breakthrough Therapy” (Hale, 2020).

Acupuncture therapy has been an accepted practice in Chinese medicine since the early sixteenth century. It has only recently been acknowledged for its benefits in Western medicine, earning recognition from the National Institute of Health in 1997. Recently, acupuncture treatment has been the focus of many clinical trials in studying its effects on substance abuse disorders.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a precursor of cysteine, an amino acid. NAC is a known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat various diseases, such as acetaminophen toxicity, chronic bronchitis, asthma, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. (Mokhtari et al., 2016). Several studies have focused on NAC as a potential treatment for cocaine, heroin, nicotine, and alcohol use disorders. The studies have focused on understanding the neurological mechanism of NAC and its effects on reducing drug seeking behaviors, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms (Mcclure et al., 2014). NAC would be most beneficial “in preventing relapse after an individual has achieved abstinence” (Tomko et al., 2018).

Current research has indicated the potential of neurofeedback therapy to improve the efficacy of addiction treatment. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive and non-drug based therapy that aims to identify and repair neuronal structural dysregulation (American Addiction Centers, n.d.).