Clinical TrialNeuroimaging & Brain MeasuresPsilocybinCompleted

Pilot Study: Effects of Psilocybin on Behavior, Psychology and Brain Function in Long-term Meditators

This is a pilot study to finalise methods (n=10). A basic-science, parallel study assessing psilocybin effects on psychology, behaviour and brain function in long-term meditators with day-long drug sessions.

Target Enrollment
10 participants
Study Type
Phase I interventional
Design
Non-randomized

Detailed Description

Pilot basic-science study in long-term meditators (n=10) assessing psilocybin effects on psychological function, behavioural task performance, and brain functioning.

Three study streams: drug sessions (1–2 day-long psilocybin sessions with multiple visits), behavioural/cognitive testing (1–10 visits), and MRI imaging (1–3 scans).

Assessments include task performance, brain imaging measures, and standard safety screening (medical exam, ECG, labs) with restrictions on psychoactive medications and substances.

Study Protocol

Preparation

sessions

Dosing

2 sessions

Integration

sessions

Therapeutic Protocol

Manualized psychotherapy included

Study Arms & Interventions

Drug Only

experimental

Psilocybin dose manipulation as described in protocol; day-long drug sessions.

Interventions

  • Psilocybin
    • 1–2 sessions

    Dose manipulation; day-long psilocybin sessions; exact dose per protocol.

Cognitive/Behavioral Tasks Only

waitlist

Behavioural and cognitive task assessments without drug administration.

Imaging Only

waitlist

Brain imaging (MRI) assessments without drug administration.

Participants

Ages
25 – 80
Sexes
Male & Female

Inclusion Criteria

  • 25 to 80 years old
  • Have given written informed consent
  • Have some college-level education (college degree preferred)
  • Be healthy and psychologically stable as determined by screening for medical and psychiatric problems via a personal interview, a medical questionnaire, a physical examination, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and routine medical blood and urinalysis laboratory tests
  • Agree to consume approximately the same amount of caffeine-containing beverage (e.g., coffee, tea) that he/she consumes on a usual morning, before arriving at the research unit on the mornings of drug session days. If the participant does not routinely consume caffeinated beverages, he/she must agree not to do so on session days.
  • Agree to refrain from using any psychoactive drugs, including alcoholic beverages and nicotine, within 24 hours of each drug administration. The exception is caffeine. Participants will be required to be non-smokers.
  • Agree not to take any PRN medications on the mornings of drug sessions
  • Agree not to take sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil, or similar medications within 72 hours of each drug administration.
  • Agree that for one week before each drug session, he/she will refrain from taking any nonprescription medication, nutritional supplement, or herbal supplement except when approved by the study investigators. Exceptions will be evaluated by the study investigators and will include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and common doses of vitamins and minerals.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Women who are pregnant or nursing; women of child-bearing potential and sexually active who are not practising an effective means of birth control
  • Cardiovascular conditions: coronary artery disease, stroke, angina, uncontrolled hypertension, a clinically significant ECG abnormality (e.g., atrial fibrillation), or TIA in the past year
  • Epilepsy with history of seizures
  • Insulin-dependent diabetes; if taking oral hypoglycemic agent, then no history of hypoglycemia
  • Currently taking psychoactive prescription medication on a regular (e.g., daily) basis
  • Currently taking on a regular (e.g., daily) basis any medications having a primary centrally-acting pharmacological effect on serotonin neurons or medications that are MAO inhibitors. For individuals who have intermittent or PRN use of such medications, psilocybin sessions will not be conducted until at least 5 half-lives of the agent have elapsed after the last dose.
  • More than 20% outside the upper or lower range of ideal body weight according to Metropolitan Life height and weight table
  • Psychiatric exclusions: Current or past history of Schizophrenia, Psychotic Disorder (unless substance-induced or due to a medical condition), or Bipolar I or II Disorder; current or past history within the last 5 years of alcohol or drug dependence (excluding caffeine and nicotine) or severe major depression; first- or second-degree relative with Schizophrenia, Psychotic Disorder (unless substance induced or due to a medical condition), or Bipolar I or II Disorder; psychiatric condition judged incompatible with safe exposure to psilocybin
  • fMRI exclusions: Head trauma; Claustrophobia; Cardiac pacemaker; Implanted cardiac defibrillator; Aneurysm brain clip; Inner ear implant; Artificial heart valve (last 6 weeks); Prior history as a metal worker and/or certain metallic objects in the body

Study Details

Locations

Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center — Baltimore, Maryland, United States

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