Psychopharmacology of Psilocybin in Cancer Patients

Brief Summary

This research is being done to study the psychological effects of psilocybin in cancer patients. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring substance found in some mushrooms that some cultures have used for centuries in religious practices.

Intervention / Treatment

  • Drug: Psilocybin

Condition or Disease

  • Depressive Symptoms
  • Anxiety
  • Cancer

Phase

Study Design

Study type: Interventional
Status: Completed
Study results: Has Results
Age: 21 Years to 80 Years   (Adult, Older Adult)
Enrollment: 56 ()
Funded by: Other

Masking

Clinical Trial Dates

Start date: Apr 01, 2007
Primary Completion: Dec 01, 2014
Completion Date: Dec 01, 2016
Study First Posted: Apr 25, 2007
Results First Posted: Jul 19, 2018
Last Updated: Jul 19, 2018

Sponsors / Collaborators

Lead Sponsor: N/A
Responsible Party: N/A

This research is being done to study the psychological effects of psilocybin in cancer patients. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring substance found in some mushrooms that some cultures have used for centuries in religious practices. Psilocybin has not been approved for general medical use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its use in this study is investigational. Psilocybin is a mood-altering drug with effects similar to other hallucinogens like LSD and mescaline. Mescaline is the main psychoactive component of the peyote cactus used in Native American religious practices. Such substances have been used for centuries in some cultures as a way of inducing non-ordinary states of consciousness for religious and spiritual purposes.

An earlier study that was done in our lab with healthy participants found that psilocybin, given in a comfortable and supportive setting, can provide an experience that is personally and spiritually meaningful for the participant. This study is being done to find out if psilocybin can also produce personally and spiritually meaningful experiences in cancer patients. This could be important because spirituality has been associated with increased psychological coping and decreased depression in serious illness. People with a diagnosis of cancer between the ages of 21 and 80 years old and who meet the medical requirements may join. About 44 people are expected to take part in this study.

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All
Minimum Age: 21
Maximum Age: 80

More Details

NCT Number: NCT00465595
Other IDs: NA_00001390|Johns Hopkins IRB5 NA_00001390
Study URL: https://ClinicalTrials.gov/show/NCT00465595
Last updated: Jun 16, 2022