A Phase 2 Single-site, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial With an Open-label Extension Phase to Examine the Safety, Subjective Experiences, Acute Effects, and Suitability of Psilocybin Combined With Psychological Support (Psi-PS) for Military Veterans and First Responders With Co-occurring Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Nathan Brashares Sackett
Summary
This study is a phase 2 single-site, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial with an open-label extension phase to examine the safety of psilocybin (25 mg) combined with psychological support (Psi-PS) for treatment of approximately 40 military veterans and first responders (ages 21-65) with co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychological support is defined as providing safety, reassurance, active listening, and empathetic presence during the drug administration session in a nondirective manner. We hypothesize that Psi-PS may provide a safe treatment for participants. The primary objective of study is to characterize the safety of psilocybin combined with psychological support (Psi-PS) for individuals with co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) and PTSD.
Description
There is growing evidence suggesting that psychedelic drugs, when paired with therapy, may constitute a safe and effective form of treating a diverse range of psychopathological issues such as alcohol use disorder (AUD) and PTSD (Bogenschutz et al., 2015, 2022; Dakwar et al., 2020; Grabski et al., 2022; Mitchell et al., 2021, 2023). However, to date, no studies have explored any form of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the treatment of patients with co-occurring AUD and PTSD, despite high rates of comorbidity. This study will be the first of its kind to evaluate the safety of psilocybin paired…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults aged 21-65 who meet criteria for current DSM-5 diagnosis of AUD and PTSD as determined by the Alcohol System Checklist and CAPS-5. 2. Are either a US military Veteran or are currently employed as a first responder, including EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or law enforcement officer. 3. Report wanting to stop or decrease drinking and are willing to abstain from alcohol for the week prior to receiving any study drug. 4. Are English-speaking. 5. Must be willing to use contraception throughout the duration of the study. This applies to anyone, regardless of biological…
Interventions
- DrugPsilocybin 25 mg
Botanical drug product PEX010(25) contains the drug substance, PYEX, which is primarily composed of psilocybin (delivered in a capsule)
- DrugMaltodextrin (Placebo)
25 mg of Maltodextrin (delivered in a capsule)
Location
- University of Washington Center for Novel Therapeutics in Addiction PsychiatrySeattle, Washington