Education / Research

Can Psilocybin Help You Quit Smoking? What the Studies Say

Last reviewed

Smoking is one of the few addictions where psilocybin has been compared directly with a standard treatment, in a randomized trial. The result is striking, and it comes with real caveats.

Every study below links to its source so you can read it yourself.

What the trial found

Randomized trials

A single session versus the patch

Eighty-two smokers were randomized to one supported psilocybin session or to the nicotine patch, and both groups received the same counseling program. Six months later, 40.5% of the first group had stayed quit, compared with 10% on the patch. No serious treatment-related adverse events occurred. Temporary rises in blood pressure, headache, and nausea were the expected effects.

Worth knowing

It was a pilot, and everyone knew which treatment they were getting. About two thirds had used psychedelics before, and the psilocybin group also had more time with staff.

What to keep in mind

A pilot is a first look, built to find out whether a bigger trial is worth running. It is not proof. Everyone knew which treatment they were getting, and the psilocybin group also spent more time with staff, so some of the difference could come from that.

Both groups received the same counseling program, which means the study tested psilocybin on top of structured support, not psilocybin by itself.

If you want to quit smoking, there are well-studied options. A doctor can walk you through them, and in the US you can reach a free quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Keep reading

This page is for adults 21 and older. It summarizes published research for education only. It is not medical or legal advice, and it makes no claim that any product sold by Luna treats, cures, prevents, or helps any condition. Laws about these mushrooms vary by place, and you are responsible for knowing yours.

Research moves quickly. We last checked this page against its sources on , and we will correct it if we get something wrong.