Psychedelics take on alcoholism: psilocybin vs ketamine in new trial
NCT ID NCT06405607
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a single dose of psilocybin or ketamine, combined with talk therapy, can help people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder drink less. Eighty adults who have at least four heavy drinking days per month will be randomly assigned to receive either psilocybin or ketamine along with psychotherapy. Researchers will track changes in drinking behavior and brain activity over time.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- psilocybin and ketamine
- What this could lead to
- If this works, it could point toward a new treatment option for alcohol use disorder using psychedelic-assisted therapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 80 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Psychedelics can cause intense psychological experiences and are not risk-free.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 80 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2025
- Expected to finish
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Apr 2028
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 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: * Weight between 50kg and 150kg * No known allergies to rescue medication * For people capable of becoming pregnant, not pregnant and using contraception * Not currently breastfeeding * Meets criteria for DSM-V moderate to severe AUD. * Have at least 4 heavy drinking days (5 or more standard drinks in a day) in the past 30 days. * Not currently participating in formal treatment for AUD. * No history of a of cerebrovascular accident, asthma, or significant alcohol withdrawal history * No seizure disorder, coronary artery disease, heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, insulin-dependent diabetes, pancreatitis, liver disease * No hallucinogen or ketamine use in past 12 months * No self-reported, personal, or familial history of specific psychotic disorders/episodes. * No serious traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the past 2 years * No substance use disorder other than AUD over the past 12 months * If taking a GLP-1 agonist, stable dosage for past 3 months * Family member/friend for pick-up, overnight post-drug session monitoring. * No MRI contraindications Exclusion Criteria: Drug/medication assessment that yields: nonprescription medication use, nutritional supplement, or herbal supplement (except when approved by the study investigators), medically unstable, current medication use that has significant potential to interact with study drug (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, psychostimulants, treatments for addictions, other dopaminergic or serotonergic agents, lithium, anticonvulsants, or benzodiazepines). Psychiatric assessment that yields:1) history of severe suicide attempt, 2) current suicidality 3) first-degree relative with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, 4) comorbid substance use disorder including cocaine, psychostimulant, or opioid use disorder within past 12 months 5) history of co-occurring psychotic episode/diagnosis including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform, substance-induced psychosis, delusional disorder, or psychosis not otherwise specified, 6) high risk of adverse emotional or behavioral reaction based on the medical monitor's clinical evaluation that may also yield evidence of serious current stressors, a lack of meaningful social support, antisocial behavior, and/or serious personality disorders amongst other conditions. Medical assessment that yields: serious ECG abnormalities (evidence of ischemia, myocardial infarction, QTc prolongation \[QTc \> .045\]), serious abnormalities of complete blood count or chemistries, medical conditions that would preclude safe participation (significantly impaired liver function), or pregnancy. MRI contraindication (pacemaker, etc.)
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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 Iowa Health Care
RECRUITINGIowa City, Iowa, 52240, United States
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