Psilocybin and brain stimulation to treat alcohol use disorder
Official title: The effects of psilocybin and brain stimulation on the treatment of alcohol use disorder
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11446309 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Johns Hopkins research team is testing whether a combination of psilocybin and customized brain stimulation can reduce cravings and drinking in adults with alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $689,697 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA032237-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446309 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with alcohol use disorder who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AUD or those unable to tolerate psilocybin or rTMS may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project partners psilocybin with personalized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to target brain circuits involved in cravings. Participants will undergo fMRI-guided brain stimulation sessions alongside psilocybin administration in a controlled setting to explore neural changes and reductions in alcohol desire and consumption. The goal is to identify whether this combo can create lasting changes in brain networks that control craving and help people drink less or stop altogether. The study emphasizes safety, careful monitoring, and a learning curve to understand how these therapies work together in humans with AUD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a novel, more effective way to reduce cravings and drinking for people with alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Early research suggests potential in combining neuromodulation with psychedelics, but this approach is innovative and requires confirmation in AUD.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sayali, Zeynep Ceyda — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Sayali, Zeynep Ceyda
Related research
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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.