Reduced egocentricity after psilocybin in patients with alcohol use disorder: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Bottom line: A pilot study suggests psilocybin may reduce egocentric bias in people with alcohol use disorder, potentially improving perspective-taking abilities.

Somewhere in the quiet of a rehab center, a man named David is staring at a screen, trying to imagine what his friend Mark sees in a video. This is the kind of task that reveals how much our brains are stuck in our own heads — a problem that’s especially common in people with alcohol use disorder. But what if a single dose of a psychedelic could change that? A small but provocative study suggests that psilocybin might not just change how people feel — it might change how they see the world. And the implications go far beyond the lab.

The Brain’s Blind Spot

For decades, researchers have linked alcohol use disorder (AUD) with a kind of cognitive tunnel vision — a tendency to overestimate one’s own role in social interactions and underestimate others’. This is called egocentric bias, and it’s not just a personality flaw. In people with AUD, it can make social connections feel harder, fueling cycles of isolation and relapse.

In a recent study, researchers tested whether psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, could disrupt this pattern. The study involved 16 recently detoxified individuals with AUD who also had persistent depressive symptoms. They were given either a 25 mg dose of psilocybin or a low-dose placebo (1 mg). Before and after the session, they completed a visual perspective-taking task — a kind of mental exercise designed to measure how well someone can imagine another person’s point of view.

The results were striking. The high-dose group showed a significant reduction in egocentric bias. They were faster to switch perspectives, and their reaction times improved, suggesting a more flexible way of thinking. But here’s the twist: the study didn’t show any change in altercentric bias — the tendency to overestimate others’ perspectives. That means psiloc, as it’s often called, wasn’t just making people more empathetic, it was specifically reducing the self-centered lens through which they saw the world.

A Shift in Perspective, Not Just Feeling

What’s even more intriguing is that the effect wasn’t just about accuracy. The high-dose group also showed a decrease in “egocentric superiority,” which refers to the tendency to believe one’s own perspective is the most valid. This isn’t just about being nicer — it’s about how the brain processes information. The study found that the more intense the psychedelic experience, the more pronounced the reduction in egocentric superiority. That suggests that the subjective experience of psilocybin, the vivid shifts in consciousness it induces, might be the key to unlocking this cognitive change.

But wait — this isn’t just about the brain’s ability to see others. It’s about how the brain processes selfhood. Psilocybin is known to reduce activity in the default mode network, the brain’s “self-referential” system. By quieting this network, it might be giving the brain a moment of cognitive clarity — a kind of mental reset. And in people with AUD, that reset could be helping them break free from the self-centered thinking that keeps them trapped in cycles of drinking and isolation.

A New Angle on Social Cognition

The study’s findings challenge a common assumption about psychedelics: that they enhance empathy. While psilocybin might make people feel more connected, the evidence here suggests it’s doing something more subtle — it’s reducing the self-centered lens through which they see the world. This is a key distinction. The study found no change in altercentric bias, which means the drug wasn’t making people more attuned to others, but rather less focused on themselves.

This has important implications for how we think about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. If psilocybin can reduce egocentric bias, it might be useful in treating not just AUD, but other conditions where self-centered thinking plays a role — like depression, social anxiety, or even certain personality disorders. But the study also highlights a critical point: this is still preliminary. The sample size was small, and more research is needed to confirm these findings in larger, more diverse groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does psilocybin really change how people see the world?
A: The study suggests it may reduce egocentric bias, the tendency to overestimate one’s own role in social interactions. This doesn’t mean people suddenly become more empathetic, but that they are less stuck in their own perspective. The effect was measured through a visual perspective-taking task, which is a specific way of assessing how people process social information.

Q: Is this a new finding about psilocybin?
A: Not exactly. Psilocybin has long been studied for its potential to reduce self-referential thinking, but this study is one of the first to specifically link that effect to a reduction in egocentric bias in people with AUD. Previous research has shown that psilocybin can reduce activity in the default mode network, which is associated with self-referential thought.

Q: Could this be used to treat other conditions?
A: The study’s authors suggest that reducing egocentric bias could be useful in treating conditions where self-centered thinking plays a role, such as depression, social anxiety, or even certain personality disorders. However, more research is needed to confirm this.

Q: What about the placebo effect?
A: The study included a low-dose psilocybin placebo, and the results showed that the high-dose group had significantly greater reductions in egocentric bias. This suggests that the effect is specific to psilocybin and not just due to the placebo effect.

Q: How does this fit with other research on psychedelics?
A: This study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelics can alter how the brain processes self and other. Other studies have found that psilocybin can increase empathy, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. However, this study is unique in its focus on egocentric bias and its potential role in AUD.

Sources

• ¶Reduced egocentricity after psilocybin in patients with alcohol use disorder: a pilot randomized controlled trial
• ¶The Impact of Locus of Control, Norms, and Social Desirability on Substance Risk Perception
• ¶Evaluation of maternal immune activation with post-weaning social isolation as a potential rat model for schizophrenia

Educational Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, mental health advice, diagnosis, treatment guidance, or a recommendation to use any substance, supplement, therapy, or protocol.

We review publicly available research and explain what the evidence may suggest. Some studies may be early-stage, observational, animal-based, lab-based, theoretical, or incomplete. Always consult a qualified professional before making health-related decisions.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Elsewhere, contact your local emergency or crisis service.

Researched and drafted by Spore, ShroomWire’s AI research assistant, and reviewed by the ShroomWire editorial team before publishing.