Magic mushroom therapy for PTSD tested in groups
NCT ID NCT07506395
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-stage trial tests whether giving psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) in a group setting is safe and feasible for people with PTSD. 36 participants, including veterans, first responders, and survivors of sexual violence, will receive two group dosing sessions. Researchers will monitor side effects and measure changes in PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- psilocybin
- What this could lead to
- If this works, it could point toward a new, group-based therapy option for PTSD that may ease symptoms like anxiety and depression.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small Phase 1 trial with only 36 participants. It focuses on safety and feasibility, not proof of effectiveness. Psilocybin can cause temporary psychological distress.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 36 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2026
- Expected to finish
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May 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 89 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: General: -T+H years of age and \<89 years of age Identify as a member of one of the cohorts to be studied: * Veteran or first responder * Female survivor of sexual violence * Indigenous person * Not pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding; if able to become pregnant, willing to use reliable form of birth control for the duration of the study * If needed, ability and willingness to taper and discontinue medications that may interfere with the action of psilocybin * Ability to read, speak, and understand English * Ability and willingness to consent to the terms of the study, including attending all trial visits (most of which will occur in a group setting), preparation and * follow-up sessions, and completing all trial evaluations * Ability and willingness to swallow capsules PTSD severity: * Meet criteria for PTSD, as defined in the DSM-5 * At screening, symptoms of moderate to severe PTSD (PCL-5 score of 34 or greater) present for at least six months Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to achieve five days of abstinence from alcohol, non-prescribed opioids, methamphetamines, cocaine, benzodiazepines, or other illicit substances * Inability or unwillingness to remain abstinent from cannabis use for 24 hours prior to psilocybin dosing session and 12 hours after receiving the dose of psilocybin * Risk for clinically significant acute withdrawal from any substance that would cause safety concern on the day of dosing * Any medical condition that would preclude safe participation in the study, including the following, as determined by medical history review, physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), and clinical laboratory tests: Pregnancy/breastfeeding Cardiovascular conditions: * Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as \>140/90 mm Hg at screening or baseline or \>145/95 mm Hg on presentation for dosing day assessed on three consecutive blood pressure measurements * History of myocardial infarction, cardiac ischemia, congestive heart failure, clinically relevant valvular heart disease, or pulmonary hypertension; any other significant history of cardiovascular condition, based on the clinical judgment of the Trial Physician, which would make a participant unsuitable for the trial * ECG: Clinically significant abnormality (e.g. atrial fibrillation based on judgement of trial physician including prolonged corrected QT interval (QTc\> 450 milliseconds (males) or \>470 milliseconds (females) * Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c \>8.0%; clinically significant hypoglycemia in the past 6 months) * Neurological conditions (e.g. epilepsy or other seizure disorder) or neurodegenerative disease (e.g., dementia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.), or brain tumor that would impact participation in the trial Serious abnormalities of complete blood count or chemistry * Severe hepatic impairment * Severe renal impairment, * Unstable existing thyroid disorder * Any of the following psychiatric conditions: * Active suicidal ideation; history of hospitalization for suicide attempt within the 12 months prior to screening, affirmative responses to C-SSRS questions 4 or 5 * Confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, firstdegree relative with schizophrenia * Axis-II diagnosis * Use of psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin, mescaline, ayahuasca, DMT, LSD, MDMA, or ketamine) resulting in a discrete psychedelic experience in the past six months. Using daily dose of psilocybin mushrooms at dose \<0.2 mg or LSD at \<20 mcg per day for \<30 days in a year ("microdosing") will not be an exclusion criterion. However, participants must agree to no further use of psychedelics during this study starting at screening. * Returning to an unsafe environment and/or inadequate social support-Any other condition, physical or psychological symptom, medication, or other relevant finding prior to randomization that, based on the clinical judgment of trial personnel, would make a participant unsuitable for the trial.- * Participation in experimental treatment for PTSD or any research studies within 30 days of screening assessment
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Interdisciplinary Substance Use and Brain Injury (ISUBI)
RECRUITINGAlbuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, United States
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- Can six short writing sessions ease PTSD in underserved patients?
- Can a psychedelic compound help veterans and first responders with PTSD and alcohol use disorder?
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- Can online training equip therapists to tackle PTSD and addiction?