Esketamine combined with a mindfulness-based intervention for individuals with alcohol problems

Summary & key facts

This small, double-blind pilot trial gave 28 people with alcohol problems either a sublingual esketamine film (115.1 mg) or a vitamin C placebo while they did two weeks of daily mindfulness practice. Compared with placebo, esketamine increased people’s psychological engagement with the meditation, produced stronger mystical and dissociative experiences, and caused temporary reductions in alcohol craving. These results are preliminary and do not prove long-term benefits; more research is needed.

Key facts:

• The study was a double-blind, randomized pilot trial with 28 participants who had alcohol problems.
• Participants received either sublingual esketamine hydrochloride (AWKN002: 115.1 mg) in an oral thin film or a vitamin C placebo while doing 2 weeks of daily mindfulness-based intervention.
• Esketamine increased psychological engagement with the daily mindfulness practice compared to placebo.
• Esketamine caused transient (temporary) decreases in alcohol cravings compared to placebo.
• Esketamine produced significantly greater mystical experiences and greater dissociative states than placebo.
• Outcomes were measured with self-report scales, including measures of mindfulness, physical and psychological engagement, alcohol cravings, and alcohol consumption.
• The authors described the work as a pilot study and noted that the findings are preliminary; one author reported receiving contract research funds from Awakn Life Sciences and a secondment to that organisation.

Abstract

The findings suggest that esketamine may improve treatment outcomes when combined with mindfulness-based therapies through its ability to increase engagement with meditative practice.

Topics

Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Treatment of Major Depression Tryptophan and brain disorders

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Addiction Alcohol Alcohol addiction Alcohol use disorder Biochemistry Brief intervention Chemistry Clinical psychology Intervention (counseling) Medicine Mindfulness Nursing Psychiatry Psychology Psychotherapist Public health