Magic mushroom compound tested for back pain relief in new yale study
NCT ID NCT07306364
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This study tests whether a single dose of psilocybin can help people with chronic low back pain become more aware of their body, which may lead to better pain relief and improved results from physical therapy. About 45 adults aged 18-65 with long-lasting back pain will receive psilocybin and then track their pain, activity, and disability over 8 weeks. The goal is to see if this approach can ease symptoms and improve daily function.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 45 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Oct 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2029
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 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: * 1\. Ability to provide informed consent in English. * 2\. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form. * 3\. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study. * 4\. Male and female participants aged 18-65 years. * 5\. CLBP, uniformly defined as high-impact or bothersome non-cancer low back pain lasting ≥ three months that occurs most days and limits life or work activities. * 6\. At least moderate pain-related disability as measured by a total score on the ODI ≥ 15. * 7\. For women of childbearing potential, must have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening and immediately before dose administration. * Negative urine pregnancy test at screening and immediately before dose administration. * Use of one highly effective contraception (e.g., IUD, barrier method) for ≥ 1 month prior to screening. * 8\. Participants are required to commit to employing dual contraceptive methods throughout the study and to abstain from sperm or egg donation during the study period and for 28 days following the final drug dose for ova, and for 90 days following the final drug dose for sperm. Dual contraceptive methods encompass the use of a barrier contraceptive, such as condoms, coupled with another effective method capable of preventing pregnancy, such as oral or parenteral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, spermicide, and the like. * 9\. Resting blood pressure ≤ 140/90 mmHg (average of three screenings) and resting heart rate 60-100 bpm. * 10\. Normal screening EKG: QTcF \< 450 ms; no clinically significant arrhythmias, ischemia, or bundle branch block. * 11\. Hepatic and renal function within acceptable limits: AST/ALT ≤ 2× ULN; bilirubin ≤ 1.5× ULN; eGFR ≥ 50 mL/min/1.73 m². * 12\. Ability to safely ingest oral capsules for the dosing visit. * 13\. Safe transportation plan after the dosing session (e.g., designated driver). * 14\. Signed medical release permitting the study team to communicate with outside providers for medication/therapy history or crisis management. * 15\. Designation of an adult emergency contact (relative, spouse, close friend) willing to monitor for mood/behavior changes post-dose and provide transportation if needed. * 16\. Agreement to attend preparatory and integration sessions, follow-up visits, and to respond to telephone/email contacts. Exclusion Criteria: * 1\. Hallucinogen Use Disorder or Hallucinogen Persisting Perceptual Disorder. * 2\. Personal or family history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder with psychotic features; any history of substance-induced psychosis or current psychotic symptoms at Screening per the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. * 3\. Active suicidal ideation or behavior in the past 3 months, as indicated on the C-SSRS. * 4\. Lifetime use of classic psychedelics (5-HT2A agonists) within the preceding 12 months, or unwillingness to abstain from their use for up to 4 weeks post-dose. * 5\. Current moderate or severe depression, as indicated by a score of ≥ 3 on the depression subscale (items 1 and 2) of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). * 6\. Total score on the ODI ≥ 35, indicating an individual is "completely disabled." * 7\. Meeting DSM-5 criteria for alcohol or substance use disorders (other than tobacco use disorder) within the last year; use of THC-containing products \> 2×/week over the past 30 days or unwillingness to abstain for at least 1 week pre-dose through 4 weeks post-dose. Abstinence will be confirmed via point-of-care urine 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC testing with a cut-off ≤ 50 ng/mL. * 8\. Clinically significant medical disorders (e.g., moderate-to-severe hepatic impairment \[Child-Pugh B/C\], AST/ALT \> 2× ULN, bilirubin \> 1.5× ULN, eGFR \< 50 mL/min/1.73 m², diabetes, uncontrolled thyroid disease). * 9\. Neurological conditions altering nociceptive response (e.g., stroke, neuropathy) or history of seizure/head injury with \> 30 minutes loss of consciousness. * 10\. Contraindications to nociceptive testing (e.g., untreated hypertension \> 140/90 mmHg). * 11\. Current use of serotonergic medications (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs). * 12\. Current regular use of medications affecting pain (e.g., opioids, gabapentinoids, cyclobenzaprine). * 13\. Current regular use of inhibitors of UGT1A9, UGT1A10, MAO and aldehyde or alcohol dehydrogenase. * 14\. Major neurocognitive disorders (e.g., dementia) or any cognitive deficit impairing consent/participation. * 15\. Abnormal EKG findings (e.g., ischemia, infarct patterns, bundle branch block, atrial fibrillation, QTcF ≥ 450 ms). * 16\. Resting QTcF prolongation or other torsades de pointes risk factors (uncontrolled electrolyte disturbances, family history of sudden death, torsadogenic medications). * 17\. Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, would compromise safety or ability to complete the study. * 18\. Known or suspected cardiovascular disease, including but not limited to atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, history of myocardial infarction, structural heart disease, congestive heart failure, or uncontrolled hypertension.
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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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Connecticut Mental Health Center
New Haven, Connecticut, 06519, United States
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