Investigating the Mechanisms of the Effects of Psilocybin on Visual Perception and Visual Representations in the Brain
University of California, Berkeley
Summary
The long-term objective of this project is to characterize how psilocybin affects visual perception and the brain's representation of the visual environment. It is known that psilocybin alters aspects of visual perception, but the underlying brain mechanisms contributing to these effects are poorly understood. The proposed work will address these questions in a large, diverse sample of healthy human subjects by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure the brain's responses to visual stimuli. The proposed research will document which brain areas mediate the effects of psilocybin. The technique of fMRI will be employed to measure brain activity in different brain areas while subjects are performing a visual perceptual task.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Are ≥21 years of age at time of Informed Consent Form signing 2. Are able and willing to adhere to study requirements, including attending all study visits, preparatory and follow-up sessions, and completing all study evaluations. 3. Are able to swallow capsules. 4. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must agree to practice an effective means of birth control throughout the duration of the study. 5. Written informed consent obtained from and ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study. 6. Have an identified support person and agree to be accompa…
Interventions
- DrugPsilocybin
The effects of different doses of psilocybin (0 - 14 mg) will be compared.
Location
- University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, California