Key points:
- Heroic Hearts Project and the University of Gibraltar are studying psilocybin’s potential in treating gambling addiction among veterans
- The program includes a week-long retreat in the Netherlands with two psilocybin ceremonies as part of a nine-week therapeutic process
- This marks the first investigation into the use of psilocybin for gambling addiction, with participants receiving thorough screening and preparation
The Heroic Hearts Project, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Gibraltar, is launching a new study to assess whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can help treat gambling addiction among veterans.
The study will take place in the Netherlands and involves a week-long retreat focused on providing participants with guided, therapeutic experiences using psilocybin truffles.
Veterans are disproportionately affected by gambling addiction, and current treatments often yield limited success, prompting calls for new and innovative approaches.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown promise in treating other addictions, making it a solid candidate for further investigation in this context.
The study will feature 10 veterans who pass a thorough screening process. Participants will engage in two psilocybin ceremonies during the retreat. Each ceremony will offer up to five grams of psilocybin truffles, administered under the guidance of trained therapists.
Good to know: The trial’s psilocybin ceremonies will be held in a natural setting rather than a clinical environment
The retreat is part of a nine-week program, including two weeks of preparatory coaching and advisement to help veterans understand the process and prepare mentally and emotionally.
Heroic Hearts UK CEO Keith Abraham expressed cautious optimism about the potential of psychedelic treatments, stating: "I've dedicated my life to working with these medicines and providing access to others for these medicines. So I'm a huge believer in their potential.
"But we're here for research, and our beliefs don't matter. So let's wait and see what the research comes back and says."
