Can psychedelic “magic” mushrooms help compulsive gamblers overcome their addiction? An upcoming trial in Europe aims to test that hypothesis.
Heroic Hearts Project UK (HHPUK) and the University of Gibraltar researchers are gearing up to test the potential of psilocybin, the psychoactive chemical produced by psilocybe genus mushrooms, as a treatment for veterans and first responders challenged by gambling addiction.
Ten participants will spend one week in the Netherlands in a natural, non-clinical retreat environment as part of the nine-week, first-of-its-kind study.
While there, subjects will partake in two psilocybin ceremonies under the guidance of trained therapists. In each ceremony, they will take an equivalent of up to five grams of dried magic mushrooms in the form of easily ingestible psilocybin truffles.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown promise before, particularly in treating other conditions or addictions often present in those also experiencing gambling harm.
For example, researchers have found psychedelic therapies seem to benefit those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and alcoholism, among other diagnoses. Researchers say those results make psychedelics a solid candidate for further investigation in the context of problem gambling.
Pedro Romero, from the university’s Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming (CERG), says further exploration makes sense.
In an email to Bonus, the researcher and PhD candidate piloting the study highlighted the importance of May’s upcoming retreat.
This is a great opportunity to do groundbreaking science and potentially provide new treatment options for those impacted by gambling-related harm. Research suggests that psilocybin is highly effective in addressing many of the conditions commonly associated with problematic gambling, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, making it logical to explore its potential benefits for those struggling with excessive gambling.
Psychedelics offer new hope for problem gamblers
Previous research has shown veterans and emergency workers are disproportionately affected by gambling addiction and other mental health disorders. However, current treatments often bring limited success, which has created a need for new and innovative approaches.
Although not afflicted by gambling addiction, HHPUK’s CEO, Keith Abraham, experienced the benefit of psychedelic therapies firsthand. He told Bonus that those experiences made him want to ensure other veterans and emergency personnel had safe access to the same helping hand.
In Abraham’s case, nine years serving in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment—including tours of Afghanistan and Iraq—led to severe anxiety and depression. After exhausting available NHS and military services with little success, he sought a new approach.
Eventually, a friend’s prompting led Abraham to Peru and his first ayahuasca experience.
Abraham says his “profound” experiences with ayahuasca and psilocybin convinced him of their vital role in the treatment of PTSD, brain injuries, and mental ill-health.
Around the same time, he met Jesse Gould, the founder and president of the Heroic Hearts Project in the US. Rather than reinvent the wheel, Abraham says Gould offered an opportunity to operate the brand autonomously in the United Kingdom, which he accepted in 2019. Now in operation for six years, Abraham describes his experience working with HHPUK as “amazing.”
Retreat participants typically regain purpose and direction
More importantly, Abraham says the impact on HHPUK’s participants has been “wholly, almost entirely positive.” However, he quickly clarifies that it’s a “spectrum of positive,” not necessarily a universally transformative, transcendental, life-changing experience.
Even though nearly 100% of participants experienced those moments during their ceremonies, individual mileage may vary post-treatment. Still, he says, at a bare minimum, the difference for those who emerge from a retreat is typically life-altering to at least a small extent.
Even though some may not have gotten all they came for during the retreat, he says by the end of the program, they typically feel they’re on the right path. And leaving the program with a sense of purpose and direction is “really acceptable and very exciting,” he adds.
Observational study prioritizes natural setting
Notably, another groundbreaking clinical psilocybin-gambling addiction trial is underway at the Centre for Psychedelic Research and Neuropsychopharmacology at London Imperial College. Researchers expect to finish analyzing data from a 5-patient sample in the next few months. If results indicate psilocybin has a beneficial impact on gambling disorder, they plan to expand the study.
In HHPUK’s investigation, the team opted for a natural, non-clinical setting. Abraham says they believe a ceremonial space in a natural setting offers the best chance for healing.
We believe that for our communities, a ceremonial setting in a natural environment is more conducive to healing than something in a lab.
However, for those who prefer a more medical setting, HHPUK is happy to refer patients to clinical-style options.
For veterans and emergency services personnel in the UK struggling with gambling harm who find a natural retreat-style setting appealing, HHPUK is still recruiting for the upcoming May cohort.
Selected participants will be responsible for flights and other travel-related expenses. However, the remainder of the retreat, including ceremony costs, accommodation, food, and transfers to and from the venue, is fully funded.
Psychedelics offer challenging alternatives to traditional therapies
All retreat guests will participate in a two-week preparation phase immediately preceding the retreat.
During that lead-up, participants will partake in two group video calls to help them prepare physically, psychologically, and spiritually for what’s to come. There will also be a one-on-one call with the coach in case people feel shy or nervous.
For many people, Abraham says the most difficult part of the experience is the dietary and other restrictions required to participate.
During the preparation, retreat, and for at least 7 days after, participants must refrain from alcohol, cigarettes, and street drugs.
Other restricted substances and activities include:
- Prescription drugs
- Red meat
- Sugar
- Caffeine
- Sexual activity (partnered or solo)
While Abraham acknowledges these requirements can be challenging, he said it’s important to withdraw people’s crutches and distractions or in the case of prescription medications, avoid potential contra-indications. The retreat team encourages participants to replace old habits with new supports, like yoga, breath work, and daily journaling.
The difficulty is the point, says Abraham.
You are there to resolve a significant problem in your life, in this instance, gambling addiction, but it could be PTSD or traumatic brain injury… What else are you there for? You’re not there to have fun, to see unicorns. You’re there to get rid of gambling addiction. You’re there to heal your PTSD. So get in there and work hard. It will be unpleasant, but you’ll thank yourself when you come out the other end.
Aftercare vitally important to longer-term success
Once the retreat is over, the program’s remaining six weeks help participants integrate their learnings into their daily lives. In that timeframe, participants have three full-group and two one-on-one calls. They also get invited to a Signal-based group chat that stays active indefinitely.
Aftercare, Abraham stresses, is of “vital importance.”
It’s known that healthy habitual behavior can help rewire your brain, he says. The hope is that those healthy habits, combined with the psilocybin therapy, will dissolve the strong connections behind the addiction and allow healthy new pathways to form.
You’ve got a helping hand from these medicines, giving you this extra strength and a different perspective.
Abraham is cautiously optimistic about the potential of psychedelic treatments but says it’s the research outcome that matters.
I’ve dedicated my life to working with these medicines… I’m a huge believer in their potential. But we’re here for research… Beliefs don’t matter. So let’s wait and see what the research says.
Future studies to compare psychedelic potential
Abraham says HHPUK intends to hold additional gambling-focused retreats depending on the study outcome and its ability to secure future funding.
The most important thing is that ten, twenty more people get access to a form of therapy that could transform their lives.
Given another chance, next time, Romero would like to shift focus from psilocybin to ayahuasca to compare the drugs’ treatment potential.
We are considering a second study, focusing this time on Ayahuasca in Peru rather than psilocybin in the Netherlands. Our goal is to compare the effects of both psychedelic compounds when combined with psychological support for people affected by problematic gambling, and we would be delighted if an organisation were interested in funding this pioneering research.
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