Can Magic Mushrooms Help You Quit Smoking? We Tested the Evidence.

On screen, in order

1. 0:04

   JAMA · MARCH 2026 · RANDOMIZED · 6 MONTHS · PSILOCYBIN PROGRAM · 17 / 42 · SIX-MONTH QUITTING MEASURE

   

   17 of the 42 people randomized to psilocybin (40.5%) had biochemically verified prolonged abstinence at the 6-month follow-up. The same card returns at 2:05 in the results chapter.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 6, Smoking Cessation Outcomes
   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 9, Figure 3A
2. 0:11

   PATCH PROGRAM · 4 / 40 · SIX-MONTH QUITTING MEASURE

   

   4 of the 40 people randomized to the nicotine patch (10.0%). The same card returns at 2:09.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 6, Smoking Cessation Outcomes
   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 9, Figure 3A
3. 0:16

   BOTH: 13 WEEKS OF QUITTING SUPPORT

   

   Both groups were assigned the same 13-week manualized CBT program. Shown again at 1:03 as 13-WEEK CBT · BOTH GROUPS.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Intervention); p. 3, Procedures
4. 0:25

   STAYING QUIT (JAMA · MARCH 2026 · RANDOMIZED · 6 MONTHS) · SMOKING LESS (SEPTEMBER 2026 · OBSERVATIONAL · 12 WEEKS)

   

   The JAMA trial's primary outcome was prolonged abstinence at 6 months; the September study's primary outcome was the percentage reduction in cigarettes per day at week 12.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 5, Outcome Measures
   • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 5, section 2.4 Outcomes
5. 0:40

   MEASURED PSILOCYBIN · SUPERVISED CLINICAL SESSION · A STUDY TREATMENT

   

   One dose of psilocybin (30 mg/70 kg) given in a supervised session on the target quit date, not mushrooms.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Intervention); p. 4, Treatment Groups
6. 0:48

   82 ADULT SMOKERS

   
   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 3, Figure 1; p. 6, Results
7. 0:55

   RANDOM ASSIGNMENT · 42 · PSILOCYBIN · 40 · PATCH

   

   Randomized 1:1 in week 3, with stratification by intelligence, dependence severity, age and sex.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 3, Procedures and Figure 1; p. 6, Results
8. 1:07

   THE WORK AROUND QUITTING · SMOKING DIARY · CRAVING PLAN · NOTICE THE URGE · RECORD THE PATTERN · PLAN THE NEXT STEP · IF–THEN PLAN · Illustrative entries · not a participant record

   

   The CBT included a daily smoking diary and strategies to manage craving and withdrawal. The written entries are illustrations.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 3, Procedures
9. 1:17

   ONE SUPERVISED SESSION · QUIT DAY · FOLLOW-UP · 8–10 WEEKS OF PATCHES · START · 8 · 10 WEEKS · 13-WEEK CBT

   

   Patch length followed the label: 10 weeks for people smoking more than 10 cigarettes a day, 8 weeks for 10 or fewer.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Intervention); p. 4, Treatment Groups and Figure 2
10. 1:27

    RANDOM ASSIGNMENT · DIFFERENT PACKAGES · THE MOLECULE WAS NOT THE ONLY DIFFERENCE

    

    The psilocybin group also had preparation about the drug experience, a day-long session and a next-day debriefing.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 4, Treatment Groups; p. 6, Results (treatment-visit time); p. 11, Limitations
11. 1:36

    Figure 3 from the paper (A. Prolonged abstinence · B. 7-d point prevalence abstinence) · 26 WEEKS

    

    The original figure, reproduced under the article's CC-BY licence; the marker at week 26 and its label were added in the video.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 9, Figure 3
12. 1:39

    PROLONGED ABSTINENCE · QUIT DATE · 2 WEEKS · 6 MONTHS

    
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 5, Outcome Measures
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 9, Figure 3 legend
13. 1:44

    14-DAY GRACE PERIOD · NO SMOKING THROUGH THE SIX-MONTH VISIT

    

    Prolonged abstinence was defined as no smoking after an initial 14-day grace period following the target quit date.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 5, Outcome Measures
14. 1:50

    REPORTS AND CHECKS ARE DIFFERENT EVIDENCE · DAILY REPORT · PARTICIPANT CALENDAR · REPORTED SMOKING · DAILY HISTORY · BIOLOGICAL CHECK · AT STUDY VISITS · BREATH · URINE · CHECKS AT VISITS

    

    Daily smoking came from a timeline follow-back calendar completed at each visit. Breath carbon monoxide was measured at treatment visits and follow-ups, urinary cotinine at intake and at the 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 4–5, Biological Markers of Smoking Abstinence; p. 5, Self-Report Smoking-Related Measures and Outcome Measures
15. 1:57

    STRONGER CHECKS · NOT CONTINUOUS OBSERVATION

    

    Carbon monoxide detects smoking in the past day and cotinine in the past week; neither was measured every day.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 4–5, Biological Markers of Smoking Abstinence
16. 2:13

    14 MISSING FOLLOW-UP (82 − 68, OUR CALCULATION) · COUNTED AS SMOKING

    

    The paper prints 68 of 82 (82.9%) completing the 6-month follow-up, not the number 14. Counting everyone lost to follow-up as not abstinent is the paper's own rule.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 6, Results
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 5, Statistical Analysis

    How we worked this out

17. 2:21

    2 NOT DOSED · STILL INCLUDED IN 42

    

    Two people randomized to psilocybin left before receiving it (one because of the COVID-19 research shutdown, one because of a death in the family). Everyone randomized counted in their group's rate.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 3, Figure 1; p. 6, Results
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 5, Outcome Measures
18. 2:30

    SIX-MONTH PROLONGED ABSTINENCE · OR = 1 · OR 6.12 · 95% CI 1.99–23.26 · 17 / 42 PSILOCYBIN · 4 / 40 PATCH

    

    Odds ratio from logistic regression (P = .003), drawn on a logarithmic scale. An odds ratio is not a ratio of quitting chances.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 9, Results
19. 2:44

    A DIFFERENT WINDOW · QUIT DATE · 6 MONTHS · PAST 7 DAYS · 22 / 42 vs 10 / 40 · PRIMARY: 17 / 42 vs 4 / 40 · SIX MONTHS

    

    Biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 6 months: 52.4% vs 25.0%, odds ratio 3.30 (95% CI 1.32–8.70). A secondary outcome.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 9, Results and Figure 3B
20. 2:55

    SIX-MONTH PROLONGED ABSTINENCE · 17 / 42 vs 4 / 40 · THIS PROGRAM COMPARISON · HOLDS

    

    The verdict on the narrow claim: this psilocybin program against this patch program, in this trial.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 6, Smoking Cessation Outcomes
21. 3:03

    WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE? · PSILOCYBIN SESSION · 13-WEEK CBT · PREPARATION + DEBRIEF · NICOTINE PATCH · 13-WEEK CBT · MEDICATION INSTRUCTION

    
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 4, Treatment Groups
22. 3:10

    PREPARATION · SESSION PLAN · SUPERVISED SESSION · NEXT-DAY DEBRIEF · NEXT-DAY DISCUSSION · PATCH: MEDICATION INSTRUCTION · SHARED COUNSELLING

    

    Psychoeducation about psilocybin at visits 3 and 4, the dose at visit 5 (the target quit date) and a debriefing visit the next day. The patch group received psychoeducation with use instructions. Both groups had the same counseling schedule. The room is an illustration.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 4, Treatment Groups
23. 3:27

    TREATMENT VISIT TIME · MEDIAN · COMMON SCALE: 0–32 HOURS · PSILOCYBIN: 29.6 h · PATCH: 16.8 h · Includes session, next-day visit and research procedures

    

    Median hours in treatment visits, excluding screening and follow-ups (1,773 vs 1,005 minutes in eTable 3). The paper attributes the difference mainly to the 8- to 9-hour psilocybin session and the next-day debriefing. The durations include some meetings with study investigators and, for a subsample, fMRI procedures.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 6, Results
    • [3] Johnson et al. 2026, Supplement 1, eTable 3 (PDF p. 11)
24. 3:42

    TIME WAS NOT RANDOMIZED SEPARATELY

    

    Extra contact time came with the psilocybin package, so the trial cannot say how much of the result it explains. The authors name the greater contact time as a limitation and recommend equalizing it.

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 11, Limitations
25. 3:47

    BOTH KNEW THE TREATMENT · PSILOCYBIN PROGRAM

    

    Participants and investigators were unblinded; the facilitators knew each person's assignment.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Design); p. 4, Procedures
26. 3:52

    EXPECTATION? · EXTRA TIME? · DRUG?

    

    The design cannot separate these. The authors write that expectancy could have contributed in this nonblinded study and that greater contact time could have too.

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 10–11, Limitations
27. 4:01

    BIOLOGICAL CHECKS · WHAT WAS MEASURED · BREATH CO · COTININE · CHECKS SMOKING

    
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 4–5, Biological Markers of Smoking Abstinence
28. 4:04

    WHY? · NOT IDENTIFIED BY THESE CHECKS

    

    The biomarkers detect recent smoking; they do not show which part of the treatment changed behavior.

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 4–5, Biological Markers of Smoking Abstinence
29. 4:21

    WHAT THE RANDOMIZED TRIAL COMPARED · TWO COMPLETE PROGRAMS · PSILOCYBIN PROGRAM · PATCH PROGRAM · DRUG + TIME + SUPPORT · DRUG ALONE · EXTRA TIME ALONE · EXPECTATION ALONE · NOT TESTED

    

    The trial had two arms. No arm gave the drug alone, extra time alone or expectation alone, so their separate effects were not measured.

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 3, Procedures
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 10–11, Limitations
30. 4:36

    PACKAGE: HOLDS

    

    The whole psilocybin program did better than the whole patch program on the primary outcome.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 6, Smoking Cessation Outcomes
31. 4:37

    INGREDIENTS: NOT SHOWN

    

    The share of the drug, the therapy, the extra time and expectation is not measured.

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 10–11, Limitations
32. 4:41

    82 · RECRUITMENT · STUDY FILE · WHO WERE THE 82? · INVITATION · VOLUNTEERS INTERESTED IN QUITTING · A NOVEL QUITTING STUDY · ILLUSTRATIVE PARTICIPANT

    

    Advertisements sought smokers interested in a novel research approach to quitting. The person shown is an illustration.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 2, Participants
33. 4:46

    VOLUNTEER INTEREST · CLINICAL SCREENING · Mental health and medical risk criteria

    

    Exclusions included psychotic and bipolar disorders, recent alcohol or drug dependence, cardiovascular conditions such as uncontrolled hypertension, and pregnancy.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 2–3, Participants and Eligibility Criteria; p. 3, Figure 1 footnote a
34. 4:57

    PRIOR CLASSIC PSYCHEDELIC USE · 53 / 82 · WHITE · 73 / 82 · AT LEAST A BACHELOR’S DEGREE · 52 / 82 · DESCRIPTORS OVERLAP · NOT THREE SEPARATE GROUPS

    

    64.6%, 89.0% and 63.4% of the 82.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 7, Table 1 (Total column)
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 6, Results; p. 9, Results
35. 5:08

    WITHIN THIS SCREENED TRIAL ≠ EVERY CLINIC

    

    Random assignment supports the comparison within these 82 volunteers. The authors list sample generalizability, low ethnoracial diversity and a high rate of prior psychedelic use as limitations.

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 10, Limitations
36. 5:16

    SCREENED · SUPERVISED · SAFETY REPORT · 82 PARTICIPANTS · SUPERVISED TRIAL · NO TREATMENT-RELATED SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENT IN THIS TRIAL

    

    No serious study-related adverse events. Table 2 lists one serious adverse event in the patch group during the 6 months, not classed as related to treatment; its counts cover the 80 people who received a study treatment.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 6, Adverse Events
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 8, Table 2
37. 5:22

    PSILOCYBIN DAY · Headaches and raised blood pressure · 1 participant needed a doctor’s treatment

    

    On the target quit date, headache was recorded in 20 of 40 in the psilocybin group vs 3 of 40 in the patch group, and elevated blood pressure in 24 of 40. In one psilocybin session a physician gave 0.4 mg sublingual nitroglycerin for hypertension, with no further sequelae.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 6, Adverse Events
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 8, Table 2
38. 5:31

    MONITORING DIFFERED BETWEEN GROUPS · Raw counts are not a fair safety score

    

    Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored throughout the session day in the psilocybin arm but not assessed in the patch arm except at baseline screening.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 6, Adverse Events
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 8, Table 2 footnote f
39. 5:39

    SCREENING + CLINICIANS + A SMALL TRIAL

    

    Safety was observed in screened volunteers under clinical supervision in a small trial. It is not shown for use outside such care.

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 3, Eligibility Criteria; p. 6, Adverse Events
40. 5:47

    2014 · OPEN PILOT · STUDY FILE · 15 PEOPLE · QUITTING SUPPORT

    

    15 participants received CBT for smoking cessation and up to three psilocybin sessions.

    • [4] Johnson et al., J Psychopharmacol 2014, Abstract
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 2, Introduction
41. 5:50

    COMPARISON GROUP · ABSENT FROM THIS STUDY · NO COMPARISON GROUP · A DESIGN GAP · NOT A ZERO RESULT

    

    An open-label, single-arm study: everyone received the experimental program.

    • [4] Johnson et al., J Psychopharmacol 2014, Abstract
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 2, Introduction; p. 10, Limitations
42. 6:11

    OUTSIDE THIS TRIAL · NO COMPARATIVE RESULT · VARENICLINE · COMBINED NRT · NOT COMPARED

    

    The comparator was the nicotine patch. The authors name varenicline and combination NRT as medications with somewhat greater efficacy that were not used.

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 11, Limitations
43. 6:23

    BETTER THAN THIS PATCH PROGRAM · HOLDS (beside RANDOMIZED COMPARISON · PSILOCYBIN PROGRAM 17 / 42 · PATCH PROGRAM 4 / 40, shown from 6:05)

    
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 6, Smoking Cessation Outcomes
44. 6:29

    LATER FOLLOW-UP · ORIGINAL RANDOMIZATION AND LATER CHOICE · RANDOMIZED · 6 MONTHS · 12 MONTHS · MAIN RESULT · PATCH GROUP OFFERED PSILOCYBIN · SOME CHOSE IT · OTHERS DID NOT

    

    Data as of 27 September 2026. After the 6-month primary end point the patch group was offered one psilocybin session; the registry lists 26 of the patch group completing it.

    • [5] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01943994, Results: Participant Flow (Period 2: Optional Cross-over)
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 4, Procedures
45. 6:37

    POST-RANDOMIZATION CHOICE

    

    Data as of 27 September 2026. The registry's 12-month groups (42 original psilocybin; 14 patch without crossover; 26 patch then psilocybin) formed partly by choice, so a randomized comparison beyond 6 months is not available. The video does not show the 12-month numbers.

    • [5] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01943994, Results: Outcome Measures (12 months)
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 4, Procedures
46. 6:48

    SEPTEMBER 2026 · OBSERVATIONAL · STUDY FILE · ANOTHER STUDY · A DIFFERENT QUESTION · STRANDBERG ET AL. · 9 SEP 2026

    

    Online date from PubMed.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 1, title page; p. 3, section 2.1 Study design and participants
47. 6:52

    115 PATIENTS · 12 WEEKS

    

    115 adults identified through the clinical records of a smoking-cessation clinic, followed for 12 weeks.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 3, section 2.1; p. 4, section 2.3
48. 6:57

    TREATMENT PATHWAYS · NOT RANDOM ASSIGNMENT

    
    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 4, section 2.1
49. 6:57

    33 · PSILOCYBIN-ASSISTED · 82 · STANDARD CARE · 33 = 20 + 13 · 82 = 43 + 39 · OUR CALCULATION

    

    The pre-proof prints four subgroup sizes, not these two totals.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 4, section 2.2; p. 6, Table 1

    How we worked this out

50. 7:07

    WEEKLY COUNSELLING · BOTH PATHWAYS

    
    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 4, section 2.3
51. 7:14

    BEFORE TREATMENT · CLINICAL FIT · TEAM RECOMMENDATION · PATIENT PREFERENCE

    

    Treatment selection was non-randomized and based on clinical eligibility, team recommendation and participant preference.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 4, section 2.1
52. 7:28

    CIGARETTES / DAY REDUCTION · START · 12 WEEKS · ADJUSTED · SELF-REPORTED

    

    Primary outcome: percentage decrease in daily cigarettes from baseline to week 12. The estimate comes from a linear regression that also includes smoking profile; the pre-proof does not itself call it adjusted. The Discussion calls the reduction self-reported.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 5, section 2.4 Outcomes and 2.5 Statistical analysis
    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 9, Discussion
53. 7:35

    5.56 · 95% CI 2.18–8.94 · ADDITIONAL PERCENTAGE-POINT REDUCTION

    

    Mean reduction at week 12 was 24.9% and 25.7% in the two standard-care groups vs 31.1% and 30.6% in the psilocybin-assisted groups (p = .001).

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 8, section 3.4
    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 2, Abstract
54. 7:42

    CRAVING ALSO FELL MORE

    

    Questionnaire on Smoking Urges scores fell more under psilocybin-assisted care at week 4 and week 12.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 8, section 3.3
55. 7:44

    BIOLOGICAL CHECKS · BREATH CO · COTININE · NO CLEAR ADDED DIFFERENCE · SELF-REPORTED REDUCTION IS A DIFFERENT MEASURE

    

    No statistically supported extra reduction in carbon monoxide or cotinine for the psilocybin pathway.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 7, section 3.2; p. 8, section 3.4
    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 9, Discussion
56. 7:52

    7-DAY VERIFIED ABSTINENCE · ADJUSTED · OR = 1 · OR 1.82 · 95% CI 0.68–4.86 · THE INTERVAL INCLUDES OR = 1

    

    Adjusted logistic regression (p = .233). Abstinence meant 7 days of self-reported abstinence verified by exhaled CO below 8 ppm at week 12.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), pp. 8–9, section 3.5
    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 5, section 2.4
57. 8:02

    WHO QUIT MORE? · NOT SETTLED

    

    The interval fits a smaller or a much larger effect. It does not show that the treatments are equal.

    • Checked[2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), pp. 8–9, section 3.5
58. 8:05

    EARLY CRAVING CHANGE · LATER ABSTINENCE · START · WEEK 4 · WEEK 12 · CRAVING CHANGE · ABSTINENCE

    

    Greater urge reduction between baseline and week 4 was associated with verified abstinence at week 12 (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.17–2.03).

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 8, section 3.5
59. 8:08

    LINKED · MECHANISM NOT ESTABLISHED

    

    An association in a non-randomized cohort; it does not show that reduced craving is how psilocybin works.

    • Checked[2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 8, section 3.5; pp. 9–10, Discussion
60. 8:14

    82 · RANDOMIZED · SIX MONTHS PROLONGED ABSTINENCE · 17 / 42 vs 4 / 40 · 115 · OBSERVATIONAL · 12 WEEKS CIGARETTES / DAY · REDUCTION +5.56 pp · DIFFERENT DESIGN · DIFFERENT MEASURE

    
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract
    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 3, section 2.1; p. 8, section 3.4
61. 8:26

    NEXT TEST · OUR PROPOSED DESIGN · NOT A RESULT · WHAT WOULD MAKE THE EVIDENCE STRONGER? · MATCH CONTACT TIME · ACTIVE COMPARATOR · START · LONGER FOLLOW-UP

    

    Our proposed design, not a result. The JAMA authors themselves suggest larger double-blind studies, more robust comparators and equal contact time.

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 10–11, Limitations
62. 8:42

    RECEIVED? · PARTICIPANTS MAY GUESS

    

    The authors cite a double-blind psilocybin trial for alcohol dependence in which 94% to 95% of participants correctly guessed their assignment.

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 10, Limitations
63. 8:48

    REGISTERED TRIAL · NCT05452772 · CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · CHECKED 25 SEP 2026 · REGISTERED NEXT TRIAL · RESULTS: NO RESULTS POSTED

    

    Data as of 27 September 2026. Recruiting; last update posted 29 June 2026. Re-checked unchanged on 27 September 2026.

    • [6] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05452772, Study Status; no Results section
64. 8:57

    OLDER TRIAL · BACKGROUND · EXISTING EVIDENCE · OLDER BACKGROUND ≠ NEW TRIAL RESULTS

    

    Data as of 27 September 2026. The description quotes the 2014 pilot and interim 12-month figures (N = 44) from the earlier open-label psilocybin vs nicotine patch trial. They are not results of NCT05452772.

    • [6] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05452772, Detailed Description
65. 9:10

    CAN PSILOCYBIN HELP PEOPLE QUIT? · SIX-MONTH PROLONGED ABSTINENCE · 17 / 42 vs 4 / 40 · PSILOCYBIN PROGRAM vs PATCH PROGRAM · THIS PROGRAM COMPARISON · HOLDS

    

    The final verdict on the narrow claim. Repeated on the closing card at 9:49 (BOUNDED RESULT · PROGRAM COMPARISON · HOLDS · 17 / 42 vs 4 / 40).

    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 6, Smoking Cessation Outcomes
66. 9:25

    BROADER TREATMENT PROMISE · WHAT THIS EVIDENCE CAN SUPPORT · THE WHOLE PROMISE · PARTLY

    

    Our verdict. The randomized program comparison is documented; that psilocybin itself is a proven quitting treatment is not shown.

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 10–11, Limitations
    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), pp. 8–10, sections 3.5 and 4
    • [6] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05452772, Study Status; no Results section
67. 9:31

    MOLECULE ? · EXPECTATION ? · EXTRA TIME ? · REPLICATION ? · GENERALISATION ? · NOT SHOWN / STILL OPEN

    

    Repeated on the closing card at 9:49 (NEXT EXPERIMENT · OPEN QUESTIONS · WORTH TESTING · MOLECULE · TIME · EXPECTATION · REPLICATION).

    • Checked[1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 10–11, Limitations
    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), pp. 9–10, Discussion
    • [6] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05452772, Study Status; no Results section
68. 9:41

    STAYING QUIT · SIX MONTHS · RANDOMIZED TRIAL · SMOKING LESS · 12 WEEKS · OBSERVATIONAL COHORT

    
    • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 5, Outcome Measures
    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 5, section 2.4

Also said in the narration

1. 0:48

   Researchers at Johns Hopkins enrolled eighty-two adults who smoked every day, wanted to quit, and had tried before.

   

   One site: Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore. Eligible volunteers smoked daily, had more than one previous unsuccessful quit attempt and still wanted to quit.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Design, Setting, and Participants); p. 3, Eligibility Criteria
2. 2:10

   Roughly forty percent versus ten percent.

   

   The paper prints 40.5% and 10.0%.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 6, Smoking Cessation Outcomes
3. 2:29

   You may see this described as “six times better.” The paper reports about six times the odds of prolonged abstinence.

   

   The paper says more than 6 times greater odds (OR 6.12).

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Key Points; p. 9, Results
4. 3:10

   But the psilocybin program also included preparation about the experience, a supervised session that typically lasted most of a day, and a debrief with facilitators the next day.

   

   The paper says the psilocybin administration typically lasted 8 to 9 hours.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 4, Treatment Groups; p. 6, Results
5. 3:47

   And everybody knew which treatment they had received. So did the facilitators.

   
   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Design); p. 4, Procedures
6. 4:21

   This trial did not include a psilocybin-only group, a therapy-only group, or another treatment with matching session time and expectations.

   

   Because both groups received CBT, the authors write that the trial could not inform the contribution or necessity of psychotherapy.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 3, Procedures
   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, pp. 10–11, Limitations
7. 4:50

   It excluded several serious mental health conditions and medical risks, including some cardiovascular concerns.

   

   13 people were disqualified at screening for cardiovascular risks.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 3, Eligibility Criteria and Figure 1 footnote a
8. 5:50

   An earlier, fifteen-person study of psilocybin with quitting support had encouraging numbers.

   

   12 of 15 (80%) had biologically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 6 months.

   • [4] Johnson et al., J Psychopharmacol 2014, Abstract
   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 2, Introduction
9. 6:22

   The trial registry also contains twelve-month figures.

   

   Data as of 27 September 2026. Prolonged abstinence at 12 months: 15/42 in the original psilocybin group, 0/14 in the patch group without crossover and 7/26 in the patch group that later received psilocybin. These are registry results, not the article's peer-reviewed end point, and the last two groups formed by choice.

   • [5] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01943994, Results: Outcome Measures (Prolonged Abstinence for 12 Months)
10. 7:00

    Eighty-two received standard care, which could include nicotine replacement or other quitting medicines.

    

    Standard care was guideline-based pharmacotherapy: nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion or varenicline. The group size 82 is our sum of the printed subgroups.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 4, section 2.3

    How we worked this out

11. 7:09

    The psilocybin path also included preparation and a meeting afterward to discuss the session.

    

    Two preparation sessions, one supervised oral psilocybin session (about 25 mg) and one integration session; no pharmacotherapy in this group.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 4, section 2.3
12. 7:23

    That makes it harder to separate treatment from the people who chose or were offered it.

    

    The authors list the non-randomized design and unassessed participant- and treatment-related factors as limitations.

    • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), pp. 9–10, Discussion
13. 8:48

    A new randomized trial comparing psilocybin with an active control is registered.

    

    Data as of 27 September 2026. Multi-site, double-blind: psilocybin vs niacin as an active placebo, both with CBT; estimated 66 participants; recruiting.

    • [6] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05452772, Study Details: Brief Summary; Arms and Interventions

Our calculations

1. 14 missing at the 6-month follow-up

   82 randomized − 68 who completed the 6-month follow-up = 14. By group: 42 − 35 = 7 in the psilocybin group and 40 − 33 = 7 in the patch group. The analysis counted all of them as not abstinent.

   • [1] Johnson et al., JAMA Network Open 2026, p. 1, Abstract (Results); p. 6, Results; p. 5, Statistical Analysis

2. 33 and 82 in the September 2026 cohort

   The pre-proof prints four subgroup sizes. Psilocybin-assisted: 20 dependence-predominant + 13 affective-predominant = 33. Standard care: 43 + 39 = 82. 33 + 82 = 115, the cohort size it prints.

   • [2] Strandberg et al., Braz J Psychiatry 2026 (pre-proof), p. 4, section 2.2; p. 6, Table 1

Documents

• This was a supervised clinical trial with medical and psychiatric screening, one measured dose of psilocybin and 13 weeks of therapy. Nothing here is guidance for using psilocybin or mushrooms outside such care.
• Page numbers for the JAMA article are its printed page numbers (1/14 to 14/14); for the September 2026 study they are the accepted pre-proof's own page numbers (Page 1 of 12 to Page 12 of 12). The JAMA supplement and the registry records have no page numbers, so rows name the table or the section of the record.
• Each scene's footer in the video names its source. This page gives every figure and statement its own evidence label, so a few rows differ from the footer: our own sums (14 missing; 33 and 82 in the September study) and the points the evidence does not show.
• The room, the diary entries, the participant and the recipes-and-ovens analogy at 4:07 are illustrations, not evidence.

1. [1]

   JAMA Network Open (American Medical Association)

   Psilocybin or Nicotine Patch for Smoking Cessation: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial (Johnson MW, Naudé GP, Hendricks PS, Garcia-Romeu A · 2026;9(3):e260972 · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0972) ↗

   Published 10 March 2026 · Retrieved 27 September 2026

   • DOI ↗
   • PubMed Central copy ↗

   Single-site, unblinded randomized trial at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore; data collected 20 January 2015 to 8 May 2023. Page numbers are the article PDF's printed page numbers (1/14 to 14/14).

   Licence: Open access under the CC-BY License. © 2026 Johnson MW et al. JAMA Network Open.

   Used at 0:04 · 0:11 · 0:16 · 0:25 · 0:40 · 0:48 · 0:55 · 1:07 · 1:17 · 1:27 · 1:36 · 1:39 · 1:44 · 1:50 · 1:57 · 2:10 · 2:13 · 2:21 · 2:29 · 2:30 · 2:44 · 2:55 · 3:03 · 3:10 · 3:27 · 3:42 · 3:47 · 3:52 · 4:01 · 4:04 · 4:21 · 4:36 · 4:37 · 4:41 · 4:46 · 4:50 · 4:57 · 5:08 · 5:16 · 5:22 · 5:31 · 5:39 · 5:47 · 5:50 · 6:11 · 6:23 · 6:29 · 6:37 · 8:14 · 8:26 · 8:42 · 9:10 · 9:25 · 9:31 · 9:41

2. [2]

   Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry

   Craving Reduction and Smoking Outcomes in Psilocybin-Assisted and Standard Cessation Care (Strandberg L, Fernandes TP, Shoshina II, Santos NA, Saether N · doi:10.47626/1516-4446-2026-5060) ↗

   Published 9 September 2026 · Retrieved 27 September 2026

   Published online ahead of print on 9 September 2026 (PubMed). Submitted 8 June 2026, accepted 28 August 2026.

   • Accepted pre-proof (PDF) ↗
   • PubMed ↗

   Accepted pre-proof (Brief Communication), not the final typeset article; on 27 September 2026 the journal page still showed the pre-proof. Page numbers are the pre-proof's own (Page 1 of 12 to Page 12 of 12). Observational cohort, not randomized.

   Used at 0:25 · 6:48 · 6:52 · 6:57 · 7:00 · 7:07 · 7:09 · 7:14 · 7:23 · 7:28 · 7:35 · 7:42 · 7:44 · 7:52 · 8:02 · 8:05 · 8:08 · 8:14 · 9:25 · 9:31 · 9:41

3. [3]

   JAMA Network Open (American Medical Association)

   Supplement 1 to “Psilocybin or Nicotine Patch for Smoking Cessation”: eAppendix 1–2, eTables 1–3, eFigures 1–2 ↗

   Published 10 March 2026 · Retrieved 27 September 2026

   Linked under Supplemental Content on the article page; the file link there is signed and expires. The 13-page PDF has no printed page numbers, so rows name the table and its PDF page.

   Used at 3:27

4. [4]

   Journal of Psychopharmacology (SAGE)

   Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction (Johnson MW, Garcia-Romeu A, Cosimano MP, Griffiths RR · 2014;28(11):983–992 · doi:10.1177/0269881114548296) ↗

   Published 11 September 2014 · Retrieved 27 September 2026

   Published online 11 September 2014 (volume 28, issue 11).

   • DOI ↗

   Open-label, single-arm pilot with 15 participants and no comparison group.

   Used at 5:47 · 5:50

5. [5]

   ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

   Psilocybin-facilitated Smoking Cessation Treatment: A Pilot Study (NCT01943994) ↗

   Published 25 May 2025 · Data as of 27 September 2026 · Retrieved 27 September 2026

   Last update posted 25 May 2025; results first posted 24 July 2024; record first posted 17 September 2013.

   • Record data (ClinicalTrials.gov API, JSON) ↗

   Registry record of the JAMA trial. First checked on 25 September 2026, the date shown in the video; re-checked unchanged on 27 September 2026.

   Used at 6:22 · 6:29 · 6:37

6. [6]

   ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

   5-HT2A Agonist Psilocybin in the Treatment of Tobacco Use Disorder (NCT05452772) ↗

   Published 29 June 2026 · Data as of 27 September 2026 · Retrieved 27 September 2026

   Last update posted 29 June 2026; record first posted 11 July 2022.

   • Record data (ClinicalTrials.gov API, JSON) ↗

   Recruiting multi-site, double-blind randomized trial of psilocybin vs niacin (estimated 66 participants). No results section. First checked on 25 September 2026, the date shown in the video; re-checked unchanged on 27 September 2026.

   Used at 8:48 · 8:57 · 9:25 · 9:31

Corrections

No corrections so far.

Found an error? Email [email protected] with the time stamp and your source, or leave a comment under the video.

Data and licences

• JAMA Network Open Figure 3, shown at 1:36: Johnson MW et al., Psilocybin or Nicotine Patch for Smoking Cessation, JAMA Netw Open 2026;9(3):e260972, an open access article under the CC-BY License, © 2026 Johnson MW et al. JAMA Network Open. A marker and the label 26 WEEKS were added in the video. jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2846155 ↗