Psychedelic drug could lift spirits in final years

NCT ID NCT05403086

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether psilocybin therapy can reduce demoralization in adults with a life expectancy of two years or less. One hundred participants will receive either psilocybin or an active control (ketamine) in a triple-blind design. The goal is to see if this approach safely improves emotional well-being in palliative care.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

psilocybin (a psychedelic drug)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a new way to ease deep distress and improve quality of life for people near the end of life.

What could go wrong

This is a mid-stage trial with only 100 people, so results may not apply to everyone. Psychedelic therapy can cause temporary confusion or emotional discomfort.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Torrance, California, 90502, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Marin Cancer Care

    RECRUITING

    Greenbrae, California, 94904, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Sunstone Therapies

    RECRUITING

    Rockville, Maryland, 20850, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of California, Los Angeles

    RECRUITING

    Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of San Francisco

    RECRUITING

    San Francisco, California, 94518, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••