Can magic mushrooms boost brain health in seniors?
NCT ID NCT07386730
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study gives healthy adults aged 50-85 with low well-being either psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) or dextromethorphan (a common cough suppressant) to see how these drugs affect brain activity and inflammation. Researchers will also check if Alzheimer's-related brain changes influence the results. The goal is to understand the drugs' effects, not to treat any disease.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Psilocybin and Dextromethorphan
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward new ways to improve well-being and reduce neuroinflammation in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study focused on safety and brain changes, not treatment. Results may not lead to any practical therapy, and psychedelics 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 80 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2026
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2030
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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50 to 85 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.
The eligibility criteria are deliberately incomplete to preserve the scientific integrity of the study. Inclusion Criteria: * Are between 50-85 years inclusive at time of consent signing * Have below-average well-being, defined by the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) * Have no cognitive impairments, indicated by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \>24 * Have an identified willing contact person with at least weekly contact with the participant to be able to provide meaningful information about the participant's daily function and able to pick up the study participant at the end of the Dosing Visit * Participants assigned female sex at birth must be non-lactating, and post-menopausal, defined as a period of over 12 months since the last menstrual period, or otherwise physically unable to become pregnant * Participants assigned male sex at birth must 1) refrain from sperm donation for 3 months after the Dosing Visit, and 2) if engaging in sexual activities that may result in pregnancy, must use a condom, plus their partner of childbearing potential must use a second, highly effective form of contraception for 3 months after the Dosing Visit * Be proficient in English * Are able and willing to provide consent as assessed by comprehension questions in informed consent process * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study * Ability to swallow oral medications (capsules) Exclusion Criteria: General: * Have a known allergic or severe reaction to Psilocybin, Dextromethorphan, or any of the non-active components of the IMP capsules * Insufficient ability to report on symptoms to make a valid assessment on any required instrument * Have a condition or presence of clinical feature which, in the opinion of the investigators might interfere with or prevent appropriate study participation or interfere with data interpretation MRI Exclusions: * Any implanted object or device that poses a safety risk or could interfere with MRI scanning (e.g. aneurysm clips, cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, cochlear implants, spinal cord stimulators, insulin or infusion pumps, metallic prostheses or fragments, heart valves, vascular stents, or shunts. surgical staples, clips, or joint replacements, radiation seeds, medication patches containing metal, or any other metallic or electronic implants) * History of metallic injury to the eyes or body, or those with tattoos containing metallic ink, permanent makeup, or body piercings that cannot be removed. * Any condition that poses a safety risk or could interfere with MRI scanning (e.g. severe claustrophobia or motion disorders or breathing problems, etc) Psychiatric: •History of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) (as per DSM-5 criteria) Cardiovascular: * Clinically significant cardiovascular conditions e.g., clinically significant EKG abnormalities, transient ischemic attack in the last 6 months, history of hemorrhagic stroke, history of myocardial infarction within 1 year of signing informed consent form (ICF) * Baseline (heart rate \< 60 bpm or \> 90 bpm at screening or pre-dose * Baseline hypertension (≥140 SBP or ≥90 DBP), after repeated measurements * QTc Interval \> 450msec on 12-lead EKG. Note: If QT-prolonging medications are started or increased in dose after enrollment and prior to dosing visit, a repeat EKG must be done \>12-hours after this change to assure continued safe enrollment in the trial * Clinically significant arrhythmia (e.g., uncontrolled atrial fibrillation, or untreated supraventricular tachycardia) * Any current condition where physical activity is associated with palpitations, anginal pain or syncope General health: * Major systemic disorders, including seizure, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, recent history (last 12 months) of advanced cancer or its treatment (radiation therapy or chemotherapy), had major surgery within 6 months from screening or plans to have surgery while enrolled in the study * Inadequate hepatic function as determined by total bilirubin or alkaline phosphatase \>3x institutional upper limit of normal; or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine transaminase (ALT) \>3x institutional upper limit of normal. However, participants with Gilbert syndrome are allowed to enroll * Inadequate renal function as determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (based on the MDRD equation) * Participant is at increased risk of falls
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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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University of California San Francisco, Sandler Neuroscience Building
RECRUITINGSan Francisco, California, 94158, United States
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