Matthew W. Johnson

Psychedelic scientist. Seminal psychedelic research for 22 yrs at Hopkins. Drugs, behavioral economics, addiction.

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

It’s official. I just receive a U01 grant from NIDA to study #psilocybin for tobacco addiction. To my knowledge it's the 1st grant from the US government in over a half century to directly study therapeutics of a classic #psychedelic. New era in legitimacy of psychedelic science.

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

This response is a master class. 😂 And one that strikes me as truthful, especially for cocaine. Congrats to Hunter on 7 years sober.

[Hunter Biden @HunterBiden]

@Boilers32 It most definitely was not. I would never have forgotten my drugs.

[Rav Arora @Ravarora1]

Meeting Jesus on psychedelics? ✝️🍄🤯

NEW study: what happened when researchers gave psilocybin to (mostly) poor Black Christians in the South struggling with cocaine addiction?

Many described profound encounters with Jesus — as psychedelics tend to provide mystical experiences, sometimes amplifying pre-existing religious beliefs.

The study’s outcomes were incredible:

Participants had biologically confirmed abstinence rates approaching 100% at 6 months — an astonishing result.

Full podcast with @Drug_Researcher linked below.

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

@SebastianE18938 @theawakecoach @Ravarora1 I don't think addiction is a brain disease

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

@HansenSB2 In many cases causation is the reason for correlation.

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

Bret Hart speaking about the unintended consequences of testing professional wrestlers for cannabis. Numerous wrestlers & wrestling personalities have indeed died from some combination of opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol.

[Allan @allan_cheapshot]

Bret Hart on wrestlers being told to stop smoking weed

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

@getsmoothee And many FDA approved medicines are addictive.

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

Disagree with Makary's resistance to flavored vapes, which is why he apparently quit FDA (or maybe asked to do so). Flavors are attractive to adults and make vaping a better competitor to more dangerous combustible cigarettes. Yes, do what we can to keep out of hands of kids, but don't limit adult choices that can improve their health.

[reason @reason]

Marty Makary's irrational resistance to flavored nicotine vapes drove his FDA resignation. He let his emotions override his avowed commitment to following the science. https://t.co/4FTMtG3XXC

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

@getsmoothee Virtually no compound is approved as a stand alone substance. The FDA almost always approves drug product formulations, just as they did with nicotine within the various NRT products. Nicotine is indeed an FDA approved medicine.

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

Trying to summarize how psilocybin sessions unfold for someone in our smoking cessation study, and how such a broad experience might help with smoking. (A caveat on the paraphrased text is that I don't refer to folks as addicts). Check it out!

[Rav Arora @Ravarora1]

What did smoking addicts experience on psilocybin in a newly published study?

Lead author @Drug_Researcher explains:

Addicts often had spiritual, visionary experiences or ones that evoked childhood wounds and suppressed emotional pain.

In these expansive experiences, they often realized the absurdity of their addiction (“I’ve been masking all this pain with cigarettes?!?”).

They regained a sense of agency over their addiction after returning from their mystical journeys, leading to 52% of addicts in the study no longer smoking at a 6-month follow-up.

Watch full episode:

https://t.co/dRNuwpTLVe

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

@SebastianE18938 @theawakecoach @Ravarora1 I don't see them as fundamentally different. The 12 step language is one that reminds the person that there is always a risk of relapse, which is true. No psychedelic treatment guarantees there is no risk of relapse. We are all human capable of short term, bad decisions.

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

I hear and understand your concerns. The research with ibogaine is much less advanced compared to psilocybin and MDMA. But the EO has mechanisms to advance research for all of the above. Is ibogaine unique for addiction? Maybe, maybe not. Ultimately I look forward to comparative trials.

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

We discuss Kevin's concern over @joerogan prompting the psychedelic executive order. Ultimately, the EO was based on 20+ years of science (including research I did with colleagues), but it was invaluable that Rogan put the issue on the president's radar. Science is critical, but putting a spotlight on that science is also important.

[Rav Arora @Ravarora1]

Former Obama/Bush drug policy advisor @KevinSabet calls out Trump for listening to @joerogan on psychedelics bc of his desperation to re-court independent voters that got him elected.

I pushed back, pointing out other advocates have been pushing this for years & @Drug_Researcher argues it's healthy to come together on some issues despite disagreement on others (Iran war).

Full 1-hour debate:

https://t.co/ipNGwgRNzp

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

@RecoveryDoctor @joerogan Great points

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

This was a good discussion our our recent study examining psilocybin for tobacco addiction. It's great to go beyond the paper and discuss this treatment and where its going.

[Rav Arora @Ravarora1]

GROUNDBREAKING addiction study:

52% of smoking addicts receiving psilocybin therapy (magic mushrooms) quit smoking at 6-month follow up compared to 25% in the nicotine patch group.

Psilocybin group had 6x higher odds of staying smoke-free compared to control group.

Johns Hopkins scientist @drug_researcher shares his new revolutionary study.

Full podcast:

https://t.co/vn7shY5nAA

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

I enjoyed this discussion with @KevinSabet & @Ravarora1. Overall I think the psychedelic EO was justified. But I agree with Kevin that the devil will be in the details and that the pharma industry and recreational substance industries are filled with cautionary tales.

[Rav Arora @Ravarora1]

Former Obama & Bush drug policy advisor @KevinSabet rails against Trump’s psychedelic executive order, arguing this is overhyped drug glorification.

Alongside @Drug_Researcher, I argue that all statements from @DrJBhattacharya & ex-FDA @MartyMakary suggest psychedelics will be researched in a responsible manner and not let loose into the public without guardrails as critics fear.

Full podcast:

https://t.co/mz0TmXuydu

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

@JackGorsline @doubleblindmag It's a repost from 2021. I definitely would have shared some other opinions had they interviewed me recently.

[Rav Arora @Ravarora1]

If you want to see a substantive debate on Trump's psychedelic executive order, look no further then my new pod w/ former Obama drug policy advisor @KevinSabet & Johns Hopkins luminary scientist @Drug_Researcher.

Kevin believes this is reckless policy unsupported by the science.

Matt thinks this is a step in the right direction that could help save lives.

Enjoy:

https://t.co/DOMOGZFT4o

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

Check out this full debate and discussion!

[Rav Arora @Ravarora1]

DEBATE: Is Trump rushing psychedelics?

I strongly support this initiative but I’m always open to hearing alternate perspectives.

@KevinSabet, former Obama/Bush drug policy advisor, came on to articulate his concerns for the executive order.

@Drug_Researcher is back on the show to defend it, arguing the Trump admin’s efforts are in line with scientific evidence.

Watch Now:

https://t.co/l4hiqoUfk3

[Matthew W. Johnson @Drug_Researcher]

@getsmoothee Drugs that aren't in the controlled substances act are exempt from FDA approval as medicines??