Can a psychedelic compound help veterans and first responders with PTSD and alcohol use disorder?
NCT ID NCT06853912
First seen Aug 13, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial is investigating whether psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, combined with psychological support, is safe and suitable for military veterans and first responders who have both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About 40 participants will receive either psilocybin or a placebo during a guided session, with an open-label extension for those who received placebo. The study focuses on safety, including monitoring for adverse events and suicidal thoughts, and also explores participants' subjective experiences.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- psilocybin (25 mg) combined with psychological support
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new treatment approach for veterans and first responders struggling with both alcohol use disorder and PTSD.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with only 40 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Psilocybin can cause intense psychological effects, and safety monitoring is a key focus.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Washington Center for Novel Therapeutics in Addiction Psychiatry
Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States
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