Mary G. Hornick · Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023 · Narrative review · n=?

Hallucinogenic potential: a review of psychoplastogens for the treatment of opioid use disorder

Cited 9 times in the scientific literature.

Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data

Narrative review synthesizing preclinical and clinical literature without systematic review methodology.

OpenAlex W4386069259 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1221719 · record verified 2026-08-28

What was done

This paper reviews preclinical and clinical literature evaluating psychoplastogens (including ibogaine, ketamine, and classic psychedelics) as potential pharmacological and psychological treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD).

What was found

The abstract reports no quantitative results, sample sizes, or effect estimates. It qualitatively describes psychoplastogens as possessing therapeutic potential for OUD by integrating neuroplasticity, direct pharmacology, and psychological mechanisms, while noting that legal, social, and safety barriers have constrained research.

Why it matters

Current standard treatments for opioid use disorder face significant limitations in long-term adherence, access, and psychological support. Psychoplastogens are under investigation as potential alternative mechanisms to address both the neurobiological and psychological facets of addiction.

Limits

The abstract provides no original empirical data, quantitative synthesis, or systematic search criteria. Substantive clinical conclusions cannot be drawn without rigorously controlled, large-scale clinical trials assessing long-term efficacy, toxicity, and safety protocols.

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