Magic mushroom therapy could help cut opioid dependence in chronic pain patients
NCT ID NCT05585229
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a combination of psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) and talk therapy can help adults with chronic pain safely reduce or stop their opioid painkillers. Ten participants will receive one or two psilocybin sessions over 8 weeks, with follow-up for about 8 months. The goal is to see if the approach is safe, acceptable, and helps people taper off opioids.
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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 10 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2025
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2026
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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19 to 75 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: 1. Must be 19 - 75 years of age. 2. Have a diagnosed noncancer chronic pain condition including but not limited to neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic headaches/migraines, back pain, musculoskeletal pain. 3. Currently on a stable dose of opioid therapy on short-acting, long-acting, or combination of opioid medication types, for a minimum duration of 90 consecutive days. 4. History of at least one unsuccessful attempt to taper or discontinue long-term opioid therapy, and has expressed current interest in making another attempt to reduce or discontinue. 5. Able to swallow capsules/tablets. 6. If of childbearing potential, agree to practice an effective means of birth control throughout the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Have any of the following cardiovascular conditions: uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac hypertrophy, greater than first degree AV block, cardiac ischemia, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, tachycardia, chronic bradycardia, artificial heart valve, a clinically significant screening ECG abnormality, or any other significant cardiovascular condition. 2. Asthma 3. Have moderate to severe hepatic impairment. 4. Chronic pain is due to cancer. 5. Women who are pregnant, who intend to become pregnant during the study, or who are currently breastfeeding. 6. Have a history of stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). 7. Meet DSM-5 criteria for severe alcohol or drug use disorders (other than Opioid use Disorder). 8. Nicotine dependence that would prevent the participant from remaining nicotine free for the duration of dosing sessions (i.e., 6-8 hours). 9. Have Epilepsy. 10. Clinically significant sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea not on appropriate treatment. 11. Have Insulin-dependent diabetes. 12. Participants who are or have been taking mood stabilizers (e.g. lithium), SSRIs/SNRIs (e.g. citalopram, venlafaxine, vortioxetine, duloxetine), herbal remedies with serotonin activity (e.g. 5-HTP, St. John's Wort), dopamine agonists (e.g. bupropion), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline), antipsychotics (e.g. haloperidol), amphetamines (e.g. amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salts, methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine), alcohol or aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors (e.g. disulfiram), and UDG modulators (i.e. UGT modulators such as phenytoin, regorafenib, eltrombopag) during the study or in the preceding 8 weeks. 13. Hallucinogenic or psychedelic drug use within 12 months (i.e. any use of mescaline, 2C-B, psilocybin, LSD, 5-MeO-DMT, ibogaine ayahuasca, MDA, MDMA, ketamine or any related molecules). 14. Meet DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders, including major depressive disorder with psychotic features, or Bipolar I or Bipolar II Disorder. 15. Have a first degree relative with schizophrenia, Bipolar I or Bipolar II Disorder. 16. Meet DSM-5 criteria for diagnosis of antisocial or borderline personality disorders. 17. Participants with a history of a developmental disorder. 18. Participants diagnosed with serious comorbidities that may or may not influence mental health in the opinion of the qualified investigator.
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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 British Columbia - Okanagan Campus
RECRUITINGKelowna, British Columbia, V1V 1V7, Canada
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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