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Serotonin Receptor Agonist

Brain Mapping with Psilocybin (Psilocybin PFM Trial)

Phase < 1
Waitlist Available
Research Sponsored by Washington University School of Medicine
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
men and woman between 18 and 40 years of age;
men and woman between 18 and 40 years of age;
Must not have
Presence of medical conditions that may confound results of imaging study or that are contraindications to psilocybin exposure (e.g. neurological, renal, hypertension, metabolic or cardiovascular disease or pregnancy)
No prior exposure to classic psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, mescaline)
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 1 week
Awards & highlights

Summary

This trialwill use brain scans to study the effects of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) on the brain in healthy adults.

Who is the study for?
Healthy adults aged 18-40 with prior psychedelic use but not in the last 6 months can join. They must be off psychotropic meds for a month (with doctor's OK) and have no active psychiatric conditions needing such meds. Pregnant individuals, those with certain medical or psychiatric conditions, or metal implants that affect MRI scans cannot participate.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study is examining how psilocybin affects brain function using brain imaging techniques. Participants will receive either psilocybin or methylphenidate to compare their effects on the brain networks of healthy adults.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Psilocybin may cause changes in perception, mood swings, nausea, headache, increased heart rate and blood pressure. Methylphenidate could lead to nervousness, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, weight loss and increased blood pressure.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am between 18 and 40 years old.
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I am between 18 and 40 years old.
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I am between 18 and 40 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I do not have conditions like heart, kidney diseases, or pregnancy that would affect the study.
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I have never used psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, or mescaline.
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I do not have major mood disorders, substance use issues, or a family history of schizophrenia.
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I am taking medication for my mental health during the study.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~1 week
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 1 week for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Functional Connectivity
Secondary outcome measures
Mystical Experiences
Personality Change

Side effects data

From 2021 Phase 2 trial • 95 Patients • NCT02061293
9%
Nausea
7%
Pain
7%
Viral upper resp. tract infection
7%
Back pain
7%
Bronchitis
4%
Oropharyngeal pain
4%
Suicidal Ideation
4%
Insomnia
4%
Influenza
4%
Depression
4%
Diarrhea
4%
Headache
4%
Sinus headache
4%
Depressed mood
4%
Lower resp. tract congestion
4%
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
2%
Rhinorrhea
2%
Musculoskeletal pain
2%
Oedema
2%
Pyrexia
2%
Peripheral swelling
2%
Restlessness
2%
Vomiting
2%
Fungal infection
2%
Hypoesthesia
2%
Thrombocytosis
2%
Eye infection
2%
Constipation
2%
Dermatitis contact
2%
Bronchitis bacterial
2%
Traumatic lung injury
2%
Hyponatremia
2%
Arthralgia
2%
Pain in extremity
2%
Dizziness
2%
Migraine
2%
Sedation
2%
Anger
2%
Anxiety
2%
Cough
2%
Sexual abuse
2%
Sinus congestion
2%
Malignant melanoma
2%
Endodontic procedure
2%
Mallory-Weiss Syndrom
2%
Anemia
2%
Influenza like Illness
2%
Gingivitis
2%
Arthoscopic surgery
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Diphenhydramine
Psilocybin

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Psilocybin firstExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Participants will receive 25 mg of psilocybin at the first of two neuroimaging sessions, taken orally in capsule form. Participants in this arm will receive the control drug (methylphenidate) at their second drug exposure neuroimaging session.
Group II: Methylphenidate firstActive Control2 Interventions
Participants in this group will be randomized to receive 40 mg of methylphenidate at the first of two neuroimaging sessions, taken orally in capsule form. Participants in this arm will receive the active comparator (psilocybin) at their second drug exposure neuroimaging session.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Methylphenidate
2014
Completed Phase 4
~431850
Psilocybin
2021
Completed Phase 2
~750

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Washington University School of MedicineLead Sponsor
1,949 Previous Clinical Trials
2,307,533 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Psilocybin (Serotonin Receptor Agonist) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04501653 — Phase < 1
Psilocybin Research Study Groups: Methylphenidate first, Psilocybin first
Psilocybin Clinical Trial 2023: Psilocybin Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04501653 — Phase < 1
Psilocybin (Serotonin Receptor Agonist) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04501653 — Phase < 1
Psilocybin Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT04501653 — Phase < 1
~6 spots leftby Jul 2025