Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a prevalent and serious public health issue that is increasingly being targeted for treatment with psychedelics, particularly ibogaine. Recent studies suggest that these compounds may alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, presenting a potential shift in therapeutic approaches to OUD.
What is Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)?
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is characterised by a compulsive pattern of opioid use leading to significant distress or impairment. It stems from physiological changes due to repeated opioid use, resulting in both physical dependence and severe withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.
Symptoms of OUD include continued use despite harmful consequences, the development of tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, muscle pain, and psychological distress. Risk factors include personal or family history of substance misuse, trauma, and comorbid mental health disorders.
The condition has escalated in recent decades, particularly in the U.S., due to increased prescribing practices and aggressive marketing of opioids, culminating in an opioid overdose crisis that disproportionately affects young adults.
Current treatment approaches for OUD often incorporate medication-assisted therapy, typically using methadone or buprenorphine, yet these methods frequently lead to relapse due to limited efficacy.
Current Treatments
Standard-of-care treatments for OUD primarily include medication-assisted therapy, which often employs methadone or buprenorphine for detoxification, accompanied by behavioural therapy to encourage sustained recovery. Naloxone is also critical for harm reduction during overdose incidents.
Psychedelic Effect Matrix
Systematic comparison of compound efficacy and evidence levels for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).
| Compound | Magnitude | Evidence | Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibogaine Multiple studies have consistently shown ibogaine's effectiveness in alleviating withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings. | Large | Moderate | Consistent |
| Psilocybin A significant observational study indicates psilocybin usage correlates with lower odds of OUD. | Medium | Moderate | Consistent |
| MDMA Research on MDMA for OUD is emerging but lacks extensive clinical validation. | Medium | Low | Inconsistent |
| Ketamine Initial findings support potential benefits for opioid addiction, but evidence remains limited. | Medium | Low | Inconsistent |
Ibogaine and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
Ibogaine is a psychoactive compound derived from the iboga plant, with research suggesting it possesses unique properties that facilitate the reduction of opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Studies indicate that a single treatment with ibogaine can lead to substantial improvements in withdrawal experiences for individuals with OUD, suggesting significant therapeutic potential.
Key Insights
- 1
Over 75,000 opioid-related deaths occurred in the U.S. in the 12 months ending in April 2021.
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Research supports a significant association between psychedelic use, specifically psilocybin, and reduced opioid use disorder rates, with a longitudinal study showing a 55% reduction in daily opioid use among psychedelic users.
- 3
Ibogaine has demonstrated efficacy in reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with OUD, with studies reporting 78% of treated patients not exhibiting withdrawal signs 48 hours post-treatment.
- 4
Despite the potential of psychedelics as a treatment for OUD, rigorous clinical research is still necessary to validate safety and efficacy.
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Harm reduction strategies remain crucial in addressing the ongoing opioid crisis, focusing on reducing overdose incidences and providing supportive environments for users.
Industrial Landscape
Key players in the psychedelic OUD treatment landscape include companies like MindMed, which is developing 18-MC, and atai Life Sciences through its DemeRx subsidiary working on ibogaine. Academic collaborations, such as those by Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals and Columbia University, are also integral to advancing research in this field.
Quick Indicators
\"Ongoing clinical evaluations are investigating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) as a primary indication for various psychedelic compounds.\"
Key Organizations
4 ConnectedDelix Therapeutics
Delix Therapeutics is harnessing the power of neuroplastogens, a novel class of compounds designed to bring about a new paradigm in brain health therapeutics with treatments intended to be safe, fast-acting, and long-lasting. Through its discovery platform, Delix has identified non-hallucinogenic versions of psychedelic compounds with favorable safety and therapeutic profiles. The company was co-founded in 2019 by David E. Olson and Nick Haft, building upon Olson's discovery at the University of California, Davis, of several novel psychoplastogens that have significant therapeutic potential in preclinical models, without hallucinogenic side effects. Delix's treatments are designed to address the root cause of neuropsychiatric conditions by repairing the underlying synaptic damage through targeted neuroplasticity. To date, the company has synthesized over 2000 novel psychoplastogens, many of which are analogs of known psychedelics such as ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT. Their lead compound, zalsupindole (DLX-001), produces the same rapid and sustained structural and functional plasticity as ketamine, psilocybin, and DMT, without inducing hallucinations or dissociation. Recent Phase I data have demonstrated that DLX-001 is associated with robust signs of CNS engagement and a favorable safety and tolerability profile, with no serious adverse events reported to date. The company's compounds are tailored for swift neuronal repair and can be taken at-home, providing significant advantages to patients, their loved ones, and healthcare providers. Delix focuses on developing non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens as scalable alternatives to first-generation hallucinogenic psychoplastogens like ketamine and psilocybin.
MAPS
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Lykos Therapeutics
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Leiden University
Leiden University doesn't have a dedicated research centre for psychedelics. However, several staff members from their medical centre and psychology faculty are working with psychedelics. Researchers here are working with other universities including Utrecht University as well as Compass Pathways.
Prominent Researchers
1 LinkedConnected Evidence
The latest clinical data points and verified academic findings associated with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).