RecruitingPhase 2

Investigation to Understand and Optimize Psilocybin

An Investigation of Strategies to Understand and Optimize the Antidepressant Effects of Psilocybin (The OPTIMIZE Study)

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests how one dose of psilocybin, given with mental health support, affects depression. It is for people with major depression who are otherwise medically healthy. It also tests care given after the dose, including nerve stimulation through the skin of the ear, and tracks behavior and social activity to look for signs of lasting results.

This study will examine the effects of a single dose of psilocybin, administered with psychological support, on symptoms of depression. It will also assess whether different post-dosing interventions, including a non-invasive technique called transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS), influence various psychological and behavioral outcomes. In addition, the study will explore objective measures of real-world social behavior and identify early behavioral responses that may be associated with long-term treatment outcomes.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Have major depressive disorder, with depression lasting at least 60 days in a row when screened, confirmed through a clinical interview.
  • Be medically healthy, with no major health problems that could make the study unsafe or affect taking part, as judged by the screening doctor.

Who can't join

  • Have a past or current mental or physical health problem that could affect safety, participation, or results, such as bipolar disorder, loss of touch with reality, seizures, or heart disease.
  • Have a biological parent, full sibling, or child with a disorder that causes loss of touch with reality, such as schizophrenia.
  • Have current thoughts of suicide with a specific plan within the past 2 weeks.
  • Have attempted suicide within the past 6 months.
  • Currently have a substance use disorder, meaning alcohol or drug use that causes problems.
  • Have an abnormal ECG—a test of the heart’s electrical activity—that the study doctor thinks could increase risk.
  • Be unable or unwilling to stop prescription medicines that affect mood, thoughts, or behavior for the study, including any time needed beforehand to clear them from the body, as decided by the study doctor.
  • Have any other condition, test result, or behavior that the study doctor thinks could make you unsuitable or affect safety or study results, including suspected dishonesty or not following study rules.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), with a depressive episode lasting ≥ 60 consecutive days at the time of screening, as confirmed by structured clinical interview Medically healthy, as determined by the screening physician, with no significant medical conditions that would interfere with participation or affect the safety of the subject. Exclusion Criteria: History or presence of any psychiatric or medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, could pose a safety risk, interfere with participation, or confound study results (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychosis, seizure disorder, or cardiovascular disease). Known family history of a psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder) in a first-degree relative (biological parent, full sibling, or child). Current active suicidal ideation with a specific plan within the prior 2 weeks, as assessed via clinical interview and validated instrument (e.g., C-SSRS). Suicide attempt within the prior 6 months, regardless of intent or lethality. Current diagnosis of a substance use disorder Abnormal ECG at screening that may increase risk during participation (e.g., prolonged QTc, arrhythmias, or other clinically significant findings as determined by the study physician). Unwilling or unable to discontinue prescription psychotropic medications (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, lithium, anticonvulsants, or mood stabilizers) for the duration of study participation, including any necessary washout period as determined by the investigator. Any condition, finding, or behavior (including suspected deception or noncompliance) that, in the opinion of the investigator, renders the participant unsuitable for the study or likely to interfere with the integrity of the data or safety of the subject.

Study sites (1)

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