Addiction suppression
Addiction suppression can be described as the experience of a total or partial suppression of a psychological addiction to a specific substance and the cravings associated with it. It is a rare effect that is most commonly associated with psychedelics, psilocin, LSD, ibogaine, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC).
Addiction suppression is the experience of a total or partial suppression of a psychological addiction to a specific substance and the cravings associated with it. This can occur as an effect which lasts long after the compound which induced it wears off or it can last only while the compound is still active.
Analysis
In terms of psychedelics, this effect seems to be triggered by the psychological self-reflection that can manifest through a combination of cognitive effects. These primarily include analysis enhancement, personal bias suppression, and introspection. The intensity and effectiveness of this experience occurring under the influence of a psychedelic is unpredictable and depends on a variety of factors such as dosage, setting, state of mind, and a general willingness to change.
In comparison, N-acetylcysteine and a small number of other compounds seem to suppress feelings of addiction in a more direct and consistent manner. This is thought to occur as a result of their action on glutaminergic and dopaminergic pathways which may reverse brain functions that have become disturbed by heavy drug addiction678. This mechanism has been shown to provide relief for those who struggle with compulsive redosing, reward behaviors, and psychological cravings, and has been shown to positively reverse nicotine addiction9, cocaine addiction1, marijuana dependence1, and many other compulsive behaviors1. However, it is worth noting that NAC's addiction suppression qualities typically only manifest themselves while the person is still under the influence of the drug and do not seem to last beyond that.
