Neural effects of psilocybin for alcohol use disorder
Official title: Neural mechanisms of psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder.
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11401907 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how psilocybin changes brain activity to help people with alcohol use disorder reduce drinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $652,030 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031417-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401907 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder who may participate in psilocybin-assisted treatment trials and related imaging studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without alcohol use disorder or those unable to participate in psychedelic-assisted trials.
What this research studies
This project explores how psilocybin affects brain function related to alcohol cravings and emotions in people with alcohol use disorder. It combines preclinical work with a clinical trial, using brain imaging to link neural changes to treatment outcomes. The study seeks to identify neural mechanisms that may explain why psilocybin can help reduce drinking for weeks after dosing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to more effective, brain-based treatments for alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials have shown reductions in drinking and craving with psilocybin, with some neural changes observed in imaging studies.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bogenschutz, Michael Parks — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Bogenschutz, Michael Parks
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.