Psychedelic pathways: Exploring reinforcement learning under psychedelic influence
Federico Cavanna, Enzo Tagliazucchi
Open Science Framework 2025 preprint DOI: 10.17605/osf.io/52hxf (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Placebo-controlled Double-blind |
|---|---|
| Population | Healthy adults |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Cognitive psychology Reinforcement learning Neural activity Electroencephalography |
| Key findings | Psilocybin modulates neural mechanisms of reward processing and decision-making during probabilistic reinforcement learning. |
Abstract
This project investigates the acute effects of psilocybin on probabilistic reinforcement learning in healthy adults. Using a double blind, randomized, within-subject, placebo-controlled design, we will analyze behavioral data and Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) from EEG recordings to understand how psychedelics modulate neural mechanisms of reward processing and decision-making.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | 2016 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 51 |
| Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression | 2016 | Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial | n = 29 |
| Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious or spiritual... | 2006 | Double-blind study | n = 36 |
| Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression Selected group of patients with depression | 2021 | Randomized controlled trial | |
| Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder Adults aged 21 to 75 years with major depressive disorder, not currently using... | 2020 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 24 |