Magic mushroom therapy shows promise for depression in small trial
NCT ID NCT05227612
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase study tested whether combining psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) with cognitive behavioral therapy is a feasible and acceptable treatment for major depression. Sixteen adults with moderate to severe depression received two doses of psilocybin plus 12 therapy sessions. The goal was to see if people would stick with the treatment and find it helpful, not to prove it works yet.
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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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16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2023
- Finished
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Sep 2025
- 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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21 to 60 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: * • Ages 21-60, * Able to swallow capsules, * Patients with a current major depressive episode or a history of major depressive episodes based on the DSM-5 criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), * Active current depressive symptoms (i.e., scores \>16 on the Hamilton-Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) covering the prior 2 weeks; Hamilton, 1986), * Have an identified support person who can pick up the individual from UCLA Semel Institute and drive individual home following psilocybin sessions, * For women of child-bearing potential - using one form of highly effective contraception (e.g., oral contraceptive pill) and willingness to continue contraceptive use for duration of study * Patient has been medically cleared for the study by a physician. Exclusion Criteria: * • A personal or family history (first or second-degree) of psychosis or bipolar disorder * Resting blood pressure above 140 systolic, 90 diastolic (averaged across four separate measurements) * Meeting criteria for a DSM-5 cluster B personality disorder (narcissistic, histrionic, borderline, antisocial personality disorder), * Active suicidality (as indicated by a 3 or greater on item 3 of the HAM-D) or other psychiatric disturbance requiring acute treatment * Current use of antidepressants or other serotonergic-affecting substances (e.g., St. John's Wort and 5-hydroxytryptophan), * Currently receiving cognitive behavioral therapy, * Any of the following cardiovascular conditions: uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac ischemia, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, tachycardia, artificial heart valve, a clinically significant screening ECG abnormality, or any other significant cardiovascular condition * A history of stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) * Epilepsy or history of seizures * Insulin-dependent diabetes * Meeting criteria for a DSM-5 substance abuse or dependence within prior 6 months * Positive urine drug screen for illicit substances * Use of other psychedelics or ketamine within prior 12 months * Adverse prior reaction to a psychedelic agent * Pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or nursing
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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
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UCLA Semel Institute
Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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