Magic mushroom compound tested for OCD in early trial
NCT ID NCT05546658
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This early-phase study at Johns Hopkins University is testing whether psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, can safely help people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Thirty-five adults with moderate to severe OCD who have already tried other treatments will receive psilocybin in a supportive setting. The main goal is to see if it reduces OCD symptoms, anxiety, and depression, and improves quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- psilocybin
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new way to ease OCD symptoms for people who haven't responded to standard treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study (35 people) testing safety and feasibility first. It may not show clear benefit, and psilocybin can cause temporary anxiety or 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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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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35 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2022
- Expected to finish
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Sep 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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21 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * Have given written informed consent * Currently meet criteria for a DSM-5 diagnosis of OCD and report a history of OCD for at least 1 year prior to screening * Have a Y-BOCS score of 18 or more * Have at least one prior attempt at treatment, either ERP or pharmacotherapy * No antidepressant medications for approximately five half-lives prior to acceptance in treatment phase of study * Women who are of childbearing potential and sexually active who are not practicing an effective means of birth control must agree to practice an effective means of birth control throughout the duration of the study * Be judged by study team clinicians to be at low risk for suicidality * Concurrent psychotherapy is allowed if the type and frequency of the therapy has been stable for at least two months prior to screening and is expected to remain stable during participation in the study * Be otherwise medically stable as determined by screening for medical problems via a personal interview, a medical questionnaire, a physical examination, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and routine medical blood and urinalysis laboratory tests (CBC, CMP, urine beta-HCG, urine toxicology screen) * Agree to consume approximately the same amount of caffeine-containing beverage (e.g., coffee, tea) that he/she consumes on a usual morning, before arriving at the research unit on the mornings of drug session days. If the participant does not routinely consume caffeinated beverages, he/she must agree not to do so on session days * Agree to refrain from using any psychoactive drugs, including alcoholic beverages, within 24 hours of each drug administration. The exceptions are caffeine and nicotine * Agree not to take any PRN medications on the mornings of drug sessions * Agree not to take sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil, or similar medications within 72 hours of each drug administration * Agree that for one week before each drug session, he/she will refrain from taking any nonprescription medication, nutritional supplement, or herbal supplement except when approved by the study investigators. Exceptions will be evaluated by the study investigators and will include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and common doses of vitamins and minerals. * Have limited lifetime use of hallucinogens (the following criteria are preferred: no use in the past 5 years; total hallucinogen use less than 10 times) Exclusion Criteria: * Clinically significant transaminitis (AST or ALT greater than two times normal value) * Women who are pregnant (as indicated by a positive urine pregnancy test assessed at intake and before each drug session) or nursing * Women who are of childbearing potential and sexually active who are not practicing an effective means of birth control * Cardiovascular conditions: coronary artery disease, stroke, angina, uncontrolled hypertension, a clinically significant ECG abnormality (e.g., atrial fibrillation), prolonged QTc interval (i.e., QTc \> 450 msec), heart valve, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the past year * Epilepsy with history of seizures * Type 1 diabetes * BMI \< 18 * Currently taking on a regular (e.g., daily) basis any psychoactive prescription medication or any medications having a primary centrally-acting serotonergic effect, or MAOIs. For individuals who have intermittent or PRN use of such medications, psilocybin sessions will not be conducted until approximately five half-lives of the agent have elapsed after the last dose. * Current (severe) migraine or other recurring severe headaches * Current or past history of meeting DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders (except substance-/medication-induced or due to another medical condition), or bipolar I disorder * Current or history within one year of meeting DSM-5 criteria for a moderate or severe alcohol, or other drug use disorder (excluding tobacco and caffeine) * Nicotine dependence that would be incompatible with an individual to be nicotine free for 8-10 hours on a psilocybin session day * Have a first degree relative with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders (except substance/medication-induced or due to another medical condition), or bipolar I disorder
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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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Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, 21224, United States
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