Effects of Psilocybin on Electrophysiology and the Dynamic Content of Thought
Johns Hopkins University
Summary
This research study will use computerized tasks, electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at how the drug psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound contained in hundreds of species of psychoactive mushrooms, changes thoughts and brain activity.
Description
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject, full cross-over study in healthy volunteers, computerized, electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures will be assessed to test the acute effects of a moderate dose of psilocybin (10 mg/70 kg) on creativity, the contents and dynamics of thought, memory, and shared vs individual brain response while viewing naturalistic stimuli. Understanding the acute psychological and neural effects of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin may allow for future optimization of psychedelic medicine, as well as a deeper and…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 to 75 years old * Have given written informed consent * Have at least a high-school level of education or equivalent (e.g. GED) and be fluent in English * 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…
Interventions
- DrugPsilocybin
The psilocybin used in this study is synthetically manufactured and formulated under current good manufacturing practices (cGMP). The active drug is encapsulated using a size 0 blue gelatin capsule and contains 10 mg of psilocybin.
- DrugPlacebo
The placebo used in this study is microcrystalline cellulose, an inert substance, encapsulated using a size 0 blue gelatin capsule.
Location
- Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness ResearchBaltimore, Maryland