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Can a single psychedelic dose rewire the depressed brain?
NCT ID NCT06506019
First seen Aug 10, 2026 · Last updated Aug 11, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study is testing whether one 25 mg dose of psilocybin, given alongside psychotherapy, can ease depression in people with bipolar II disorder who haven't responded to at least two prior treatments. Using brain scans (fMRI), researchers will look at how the drug affects the amygdala, a brain region involved in emotion, and whether changes there relate to mood improvements. The study involves 30 adults and will also check if the approach is practical and acceptable to participants.
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 compound) given as a single 25 mg oral dose, combined with psychotherapy sessions
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new treatment option for people with bipolar depression who haven't improved with standard therapies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage pilot study, so results may not apply broadly. Psilocybin can cause intense psychological effects and requires careful monitoring.
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 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
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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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. Adults 18 to 65 years old. 2. Must be deemed to have capacity to provide informed consent; 3. Must sign and date the informed consent form; 4. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures; 5. Ability to read and communicate in English, such that their literacy and comprehension is sufficient for understanding the consent form and study questionnaires, as evaluated by study staff obtaining consent; 6. Primary DSM-5 diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder (BD-II) currently experiencing a Major Depressive Episode (MDE) without psychotic features as diagnosed by a mood disorder specialist and confirmed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI); 7. Current MDE must be moderate to severe, as determined by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) score greater than 20 with inadequate response to two or more adequate evidence-based treatment trials for bipolar depression, as per the 2018 CANMAT Bipolar Disorder Guidelines. Treatment trials are specific to current MDE rather than lifelong trials; 8. Ability to take oral medication; 9. Must be currently taking lamotrigine or planning on starting lamotrigine outside of the trial for the duration of the study, including the 1-month follow-up period, without changes in the medication; 10. Individuals who are capable of becoming pregnant: use of highly effective contraception for at least 3 months prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation; 11. Individuals who are capable of fathering a child: use of condoms or other methods for the duration of study participation to ensure effective contraception with partner; 12. Individuals who are willing to taper off current medications for a minimum of 1-month prior to Baseline (V3, Day -1) and whose physician confirms that it is safe for them to do so; 13. Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations (section 4.5) throughout study duration. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnant as assessed by a urine pregnancy test at Screening (Visit 1) or individual's that intend to become pregnant during the study or are breastfeeding; 2. Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within 30 days of Screening (Visit 1); 3. Current symptoms of mania, hypomania or mixed features, as determined by the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score greater than 12; 4. History of mania or hypomania in the past 6 months as determined by psychiatric history; 5. Have a DSM-5 diagnosis of substance use disorder (excluding use of tobacco) within the preceding 12 months; 6. Have active suicidal ideation as determined by the C-SSRS and/or clinical interview Significant suicide risk is defined by suicidal ideation as endorsed by items 4 or 5 of the C-SSRS, OR active suicidality requiring involuntary inpatient treatment or recent suicide attempts within the past 3 months; 7. Any DSM-5 lifetime diagnosis of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder; psychotic disorder (including but not limited to during previous mood episodes or substance-induced psychosis), bipolar I disorder, paranoid personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, or neurocognitive disorder as determined by medical history, the MINI clinical interview, and the International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE) administered at V1; 8. Have contraindications to fMRI as determined by the MRI questionnaire; 9. Have a history of seizures; 10. Are taking anticonvulsants (with the exception of lamotrigine) or benzodiazepines (lorazepam up to 2mg/day is acceptable); 11. History of Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or suspected SJS as determined by medical history; 12. Any first-degree relative with a diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder; psychotic disorder (unless substance-induced or due to a medical condition); or bipolar I disorder as determined by the family medical history form and discussions with the participant; 13. Presence of a relative or absolute contraindication to psilocybin, including a drug allergy, recent stroke history, uncontrolled hypertension, low or labile blood pressure, recent myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmic, severe coronary artery disease, or moderate to severe renal or hepatic impairment; 14. Presence of baseline prolonged QTc or Torsade de Pointes as measured by the ECG or a history of long QTc syndrome or related risk factors; 15. History of allergy to lamotrigine or psilocybin, or inability to tolerate lamotrigine during trial. 16. Participants who are unwilling or unable to take their lamotrigine (as prescribed by their most responsible physician) throughout the duration of the study, including up to the four-week post-dose visit, will be excluded from the study. 17. Use of classic psychedelic drugs (e.g., psilocybin, DMT, LSD, mescaline) within the previous 6 months of singing the informed consent form; 18. Use of intravenous or oral steroids within one week of the administration of psilocybin; 19. Use of S-Adenosyl methionine (SAM-e), 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), L-tryptophan, and St. John's Wort one week prior to administration of psilocybin; and 20. Any other clinically significant physical illness including chronic infectious diseases or any other major concurrent illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the interpretation of the study results or constitute a health risk for the participant if they take part in the study.
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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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Toronto Western Hospital - University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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