Psychedelic substances as therapeutic tools in alcohol use disorder : a retrospectivenaturalistic study and meta-analysis of adverse effects ; Les substances psychédéliques comme outils thérapeutiques dans le trouble de l’usage de l’alcool : étude naturalistique rétrospective et méta-analyse des données de tolérance

Introduction: alcohol use disorder is a major public health concern and a significant avoidable risk factor. The aim of this thesis is to examine the effects of a naturalistic psychedelic experience on alcohol consumption and associated measures, and to assess the tolerance and adverse effects of psychedelic-assisted therapies in a clinical context. Methods: a retrospective online survey was conducted on individuals who reported a concomitant drinking habit without necessarily having an alcohol use disorder, and who reported a psychedelic experience. A meta-analysis investigating the occurrence of adverse effects including cardiovascular data in patients participating in clinical trials with psychedelic use was also performed. Results: after the psychedelic experience, the mean number of days of alcohol consumption per week significantly decreased. Subjects who quit or reduced their alcohol consumption had a more severe alcohol use disorder and lower psychological flexibility before the psychedelic session. Reduction in alcohol consumption was significantly associated with the intensity of the mystical experience, and increased psychological flexibility was one of the predictors of alcohol use improvement. In clinical trials, psychedelics were found to cause an increase of cardiovascular measures and the occurrence of mild adverse effects such as nausea, headaches, or fatigue. Psychedelics did not induce suicide attempts or schizophrenia when strict inclusion criteria were applied. Conclusions: our results suggest that a naturalistic psychedelic experience can lead to a reduction in alcohol consumption, and that such positive health outcomes may be associated with the intensity of the mystical experience and an increase in psychological flexibility. Psychedelic substances used for therapeutic purposes have a reassuring risk profile, with rare emergence of severe adverse events when administered in a well-controlled clinical setting. ; Introduction : le trouble de l’usage de l'alcool est un problème majeur de ...