The New England journal of medicine
November 3, 2022
Guy M. Goodwin, Scott T Aaronson, Oscar Alvarez et al.
1,095 citations
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, but not 10 mg, reduced depression scores more than a 1 mg control dose over three weeks in adults with treatment-resistant depression. In this phase 2 trial, 233 participants were randomly assigned to 25 mg, 10 mg, or 1 mg of synthetic psilocybin with psychological support. The 25 mg group showed an average 12-point drop on the MADRS depression scale versus a 5.4-point drop in the 1 mg group, a significant difference. The 10 mg group did not differ significantly from control. Response and remission rates at three weeks supported the primary result, but sustained response at 12 weeks was not significantly different.
Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain
September 20, 2024
James Rucker, Sadie Hambleton, Catherine Bird et al.
12 citations
A small open-label trial tested low doses of psilocybin (5, 7.5, and 10 mg) with psychological support in four patients with chronic short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNHA), a severe headache disorder. The study was terminated early due to recruitment difficulties; three participants completed all sessions. No significant adverse events occurred. Cognitive testing during the acute drug experience was not possible because participants reported high subjective dose intensity. Headache impact remained severe throughout the trial. Mean daily attack frequency decreased by more than 50% in two participants at final follow-up. Thematic analysis of clinical notes suggested psychological insights, including reconfigured relationships to headache pain, were key features of participants' experience. The clinical results provide no conclusive evidence for psilocybin in SUNHA.
Wellcome Open Research
January 1, 2024
Matt Butler, Catherine Bird, Carolina Maggio et al.
4 citations
Functional neurological disorder (FND) causes seizures and movement disorders, is debilitating, and often has a poor prognosis. Brain imaging suggests FND involves multiple networks, and mechanisms like dissociation and abnormal motor agency may play a role. Psychedelics disrupt brain networks and are being tested for neuropsychiatric disorders. This open-label neuroimaging study will give 25 mg oral psilocybin with psychological support to 24 people with chronic FND. Resting-state and task-based fMRI, plus measures of interoception, somatisation, and dissociation, will be collected before and after psilocybin, with three-month follow-up. The study aims to probe FND mechanisms and assess safety and feasibility of psychedelic administration in this population.
Wellcome Open Research
April 22, 2025
Matthew Butler, Catherine Bird, Carolina Maggio et al.
3 citations
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common, debilitating condition linked to abnormal brain networks, dissociation, interoception, and motor agency. This open-label neuroimaging protocol will administer 25 mg of oral psilocybin with psychological support to 24 people with chronic FND. Resting-state and task-based functional MRI sequences will be compared before and after psilocybin. Additional measures include interoception, somatisation, illness perceptions, suggestibility, and dissociation. Participants will be followed for three months. The study aims to probe mechanisms underlying FND and assess the safety and feasibility of psychedelic administration with psychological support in this population.
Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain
October 9, 2024
James Rucker, Matthew Butler, Sadie Hambleton et al.
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