Large Psilocybin Clinical Trial Paves the Way for Guided Sessions

Psilocybin, popularly known as “magic mushrooms”, is a psychedelic drug with hallucinogenic properties. While it was studied during the 1960s for the treatment of several medical conditions, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) labeled it a Schedule I Controlled Substance in 1970 and clinical research came to a grinding halt due to the War on Drugs.

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reversed the federal government’s longstanding position and fast tracked a clinical trial to study the effect of the drug on depression. Psilocybin is now in clinical development for treatment-resistant depression in Canada, Europe and the United States, where it could become a breakthrough treatment option.

There is also a concerted effort to decriminalize the drug on a local level. In May 2019, Denver decriminalized the use of the psychedelic in a move that mirrored the city and state’s position on medical marijuana years ago. Many other cities are also evaluating the same measures, which could add psilocybin as an option for some therapists in these cities.

New Study Paves the Way

The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London recently presented the results of their Phase I study at the 58th annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). With 90 participants, it is the largest clinical trial to date and provides some key insights into the drug.

The study sought to test the safety and therapeutic feasibility of the drug at a 10 to 25 milligram dose in a controlled setting with a well-trained therapist guiding each one-on-one session. After the effects subsided, the healthy volunteer patients were sent home and returned the following morning for follow-up to assess any side-effects.

There were four key takeaways from the clinical trial:

• Patients didn’t report any adverse side-effects from 10 to 25 milligram dosages, suggesting that it’s relatively safe in a controlled environment.
• There were no negative effects on cognitive or emotional functioning — again, suggesting that it may be safe in a controlled environment.
• The adverse events reported were of the expected psychedelic nature, including changes in mood or sensory perception.
• The study demonstrated the feasibility of administration with one-on-one therapist support.

“This is the largest controlled study of psilocybin to date,” said James Rucker, lead investigator for the study. “The results of the study are clinically reassuring and support further development of psilocybin as a treatment for patients with mental health problems that haven’t improved with conventional therapy, such as treatment-resistant depression.”

What’s Next for Psilocybin?

The medical community is quickly rediscovering psilocybin as a potential treatment option for depression, anxiety and other mental disorders. While research has been off limits for years, a change in the government’s position is opening the door to near-term studies that could pave the way for new and much needed treatment options for patients.

At the same time, many states are considering extending decriminalization of drugs to psilocybin and other psychedelics. The rationale is that these drugs do not appear to present a danger to users in the same way that narcotics or alcohol do and a prohibition could be making it dangerous for existing users to purchase the drugs.

Those interested in the cannabis movement may want to keep an eye on the psilocybin movement as there are many parallels.

This article was published by CFN Enterprises Inc. (OTCQB: CNFN), owner and operator of CFN Media, the industry’s leading agency and digital financial media network dedicated to the burgeoning CBD and legal cannabis industries. Call +1 (833) 420-CNFN for more information.

About Ryan Allway

Mr. Allway has over a decade of experience in the financial markets as both a private investor and financial journalist. He has been actively involved in the cannabis industry since its inception, covering public and private companies.