Psilocybin Intervention for Veterans Overcoming Treatment-Resistant Depression
A Multi-site Randomized Controlled Trial of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) in Veterans
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 75 Years
- Sex
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Compensation
- Mentioned in the study description
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
- Time periods mentioned: 6 months
Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.
Show the study's own words
- "Longer-term follow-up will be conducted over 6 months."
- Compensation
- Mentioned in the study description
- 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 well psilocybin treats depression and what risks it has. It is for U.S. military Veterans whose depression has not improved enough with treatment, with or without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The purpose of this multi-site randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy and risks of psilocybin for the treatment of depression in U.S. military Veterans with and without (±) concurrent posttraumatic stress disorder.
Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.
Eligibility
Who can join
- Be an English-speaking U.S. military Veteran and an adult age 75 or younger.
- Sign forms agreeing to join the study and allowing use of your health information.
- Have a current episode of major depression and a score of at least 20 on the study’s depression rating scale.
- Have tried at least 2 antidepressant treatments without enough improvement. Each must have lasted at least 8 weeks, including 2 weeks at the required dose.
- If taking an allowed antidepressant, have been on the same dose for at least 4 weeks before the starting visit.
- If you can become pregnant, have a negative pregnancy test and agree to use an accepted form of birth control during the study.
- Have a responsible adult drive you home or to your lodging after each psilocybin treatment.
- Agree not to use other psychedelics during the study, except those given as part of the study.
Who can't join
- Have ever had bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or another disorder involving loss of touch with reality; have these symptoms now; or have a parent, sibling, or child with bipolar I or a listed psychotic disorder.
- Have certain drug use disorders, or severe alcohol or cannabis use disorder, in the past 6 months; have ever had a hallucinogen use disorder or lasting changes in perception from these drugs; or test positive for illegal drugs other than THC. Recent psychedelic use also excludes you, but the listing does not give the time limit.
- Have serious suicidal thoughts or behavior in the past 6 months, or a mental health hospital stay in the past 3 months.
- Have used a medicine the study does not allow within 2 weeks of the starting visit; had certain brain stimulation treatments within 3 months; or had a research-supported talk therapy for depression or PTSD within 2 weeks. An implanted brain or spinal cord device also excludes you.
- Have had a severe brain injury, dementia or a related worsening thinking disorder, or a seizure disorder, except seizures caused by fever or substance withdrawal.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding, or expect to become pregnant or breastfeed during active treatment.
- Have certain serious medical conditions, including past heart attack, heart failure, stroke, brain cancer, or dangerous acid buildup from diabetes. Unsafe blood pressure, heart rate or rhythm, important abnormal blood tests, or other illnesses that make participation unsafe may also exclude you.
- Have had an allergy, bad reaction, or bad experience with psilocybin, or are in a legal case for mental health disability income outside the VA benefits process.
Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.
Official eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Veteran of the U.S. military who is English-speaking * Signed informed consent and HIPAA * Adults \</= 75 years of age * Meets DSM-5 criteria for current major depressive episode (MDE) * MADRS \>/= 20 at baseline * Failure to respond satisfactorily to \>/= 2 antidepressant treatments for \>/= 8 weeks, including \>/= 2 weeks at an adequate dose (\>/= 50% of the FDA-approved uppermost dose) for major depression. Augmentation with a medication for depression (e.g., neuroleptics, lithium, levothyroxine) is considered a separate course of treatment. * If applicable, concurrent \& permitted antidepressants must be at stable doses for \>/= 4 weeks prior to baseline (see allowed \& prohibited medication list) * Participants of child-bearing potential must have negative pregnancy test \& agree to adhere to a medically acceptable method of birth control during the study * Has a responsible adult who will provide transportation to the participant's home or place of lodging on the days of psilocybin administration Exclusion Criteria: * Lifetime bipolar, schizophrenia spectrum, or other psychotic disorders * First-degree relative with history of bipolar I, schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder * Presence of psychotic symptoms (e.g., MDE with psychotic symptoms) * Sedative-hypnotic, stimulant, inhalant and/or opioid use disorder within past 6 months (lifetime substance use disorder is allowed at the discretion of the LSI) * Severe alcohol and/or cannabis use disorder within the past 6 months (mild or moderate alcohol and/or cannabis use is allowed at the discretion of the LSI) * Lifetime hallucinogen persisting perception or hallucinogen use disorders * Use of psilocybin, ayahuasca, mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), dimethyltryptamine (DMT), 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), peyote, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) within past XX months * Participant agrees to not use psychedelics (listed above) during the study, except as prescribed by the study protocol * Taking prohibited medication within 2 weeks of baseline (see allowed and prohibited concomitant medication list) * History of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) * Diagnosis of dementia or related progressive neurocognitive disorder * Suicidal ideation/behavior Type 4 or Type 5 intensity on C-SSRS within past 6 months of baseline * Psychiatric inpatient treatment within past 3 months of baseline * Treatment with electroconvulsive therapy, deep brain stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, or transcranial magnetic stimulation within 3 months of baseline * Implanted central nervous system device * Treatment with evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for MDD or PTSD within 2 weeks prior to baseline. If receiving EBP therapy, he/she must complete treatment at least 2 weeks prior to baseline. Other forms of non-EBP psychotherapy for MDD or PTSD are allowed to continue during the study period. * Pregnancy or lactation, or anticipated pregnancy or breastfeeding during the active treatment phase * History of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, diabetic ketoacidosis, brain cancer, stroke and/or severe cardiac disease * Clinically significant cardiac, pulmonary, renal, liver and/or other medical disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, may contraindicate the use of psilocybin, interfere with the interpretation of study results and/or constitute a health risk for the participant if they take part in the study * Seizure disorder, except for seizures due to fever or withdrawal from a substance * Clinically significant hypertension (\>160/95 mmHg), hypotension (\<90/60 mmHg) tachycardia (\>100 bpm at rest), QTc prolongation (\>450 msec men; \>470 msec women) or clinically significant arrhythmia on ECG * Clinically significant abnormal laboratory results on chemistry panel, liver function tests, complete blood count, and/or thyroid stimulating hormone * Positive urine drug screen for illicit drugs of abuse (except for THC) at screening or baseline * Prior allergic, adverse reaction or adverse experience to a psilocybin formulation * Litigating for disability income for a mental disorder outside the VA compensation and pension process
Study sites (5)
AL
- Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL · Birmingham, AL 35233-1927Lori L Davis, MD AB · Study contact · (205) 554-3819 · lori.davis@va.govAnchal Ghera, MS · Study contact · (205) 899-1273 · anchal.ghera@va.govLori Lynne Davis, MD AB · Principal investigatorMore trials in Birmingham
- Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, AL · Tuscaloosa, AL 35404-5015Patricia Pilkinton, MD · Study contact · 205-554-2000 ext. 4392 · patricia.pilkinton@va.govKaleb Murry, MS · Study contact · 2055542000 ext. 4392 · kaleb.murry@va.govMore trials in Tuscaloosa
OR
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR · Portland, OR 97207-2964Christopher Stauffer, MD · Study contact · 503-781-1205 · christopher.stauffer@va.govMore trials in Portland
PA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA · Philadelphia, PA 19104-4551Michael Thase, MD · Study contact · 215-823-5800 ext. 206592 · michael.thase@va.govMora Grehl, MS · Study contact · 2158235800 ext. 206592More trials in Philadelphia
WA
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA · Seattle, WA 98108-1532Rebecca Hendrickson, MD · Study contact · 206-277-1337 · rebecca.hendrickson@va.govMore trials in Seattle