Scientists find potential treatment for alcoholism

Researchers at King's College London are to examine the benefits of a new synthetic drug made from the psychedelic compound Mebufotenin, which is found naturally in the Colorado River toad.

The BPL-003 drug has been created by the British research company Beckley Psytech as part of an evaluation into the use of psychedelics as a treatment for mental illnesses.

In the trial, patients suffering from alcoholism will be given a single dose of BPL-003 along with talking therapy around quitting drinking. The patients will then be followed for 12 weeks with safety and efficacy assessments conducted at various points.

Cosmo Feilding-Mellen, chief executive of Beckley Psytech, said: "There is increasing evidence demonstrating the therapeutic effect of psychedelics for substance use disorders.

"We are proud to be at the forefront of this field of research, exploring how short-acting formulations like BPL-003 might address and reduce the burden that conditions like alcohol use disorder have on individuals, society and healthcare systems more broadly."

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