Magic mushrooms take on depression: new trial tests psilocybin with antidepressants
NCT ID NCT06898606
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a single dose of psilocybin mushrooms, combined with therapy, can help adults with treatment-resistant depression. Half of the 24 participants will also take the antidepressant fluoxetine to see if it changes the effects. The main goal is to measure mood improvement after 4 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Psilocybin (from Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for people with depression that hasn't improved with standard medications.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 24 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The psychedelic experience can be intense and may cause temporary 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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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 24 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2024
- Expected to finish
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Nov 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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25 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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 Age: ≥25 and \<65 years. Diagnosis: Current Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), moderate to severe, per DSM-5-TR, confirmed with SCID-5. Baseline severity: MADRS ≥20 at baseline (reassessed at the pre-dose visit to confirm ongoing eligibility). Partial Response in the current episode (PRD): ≥1 adequate antidepressant trial in this episode (therapeutic dose for ≥6-12 weeks, adherence ≥80%) with \<50% symptom reduction or clinically significant residual symptoms. Clinical stability and ability to provide informed consent; willingness to comply with all study procedures (preparation, dosing session, integration, and follow-ups). Contraception: For participants with reproductive potential, negative pregnancy test and agreement to use effective contraception during the study. Exclusion Criteria Psychiatric disorders: Bipolar I/II disorder, any psychotic disorder, or current MDD with psychotic features; first-degree family history of psychotic or bipolar disorder. Suicide risk: Acute suicidal risk, e.g., active suicidal ideation with intent or plan, recent attempt, or clinical judgment requiring urgent intervention. Interacting medications: Current use of serotonergic antidepressants (SSRI/SNRI/MAOI, clomipramine) or other pro-serotonergic agents (e.g., triptans, linezolid, lithium, tramadol, dextromethorphan) that cannot be discontinued per protocol-defined washout. Other psychotropics: Unstable doses of antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, or long-acting benzodiazepines within the last 2 weeks; need for medications that would compromise blinding on the dosing day. Psychotherapy changes: Initiation or major change in psychotherapy within 2 weeks prior to baseline (to preserve clinical stability). Medical conditions: Clinically significant or unstable medical illness (cardiovascular, neurological, hepatic, renal), prolonged QTc, known hypersensitivity/contraindication to fluoxetine or study materials. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Substance use: Current substance use disorder (excluding nicotine/caffeine) within the past 3 months; non-medical cannabis use that cannot meet the pre-dose abstinence window (e.g., ≥72 h). Any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would make participation unsafe or interfere with the assessments. Washout note (to include in Procedures/Eligibility): SSRIs/SNRIs: 7 days or ≥5 half-lives; prior fluoxetine: ≥6 weeks; MAOIs: ≥14 days before randomization/dosing. Participants must be willing and able to follow the washout schedule.
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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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Federal University of Latin American Integration
RECRUITINGFoz do Iguaçu, Paraná, 85870-650, Brazil
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