Psilocybin-facilitated Smoking Cessation Treatment: A Pilot Study

This is an interventional treatment trial for Nicotine Dependence focused on measuring Psilocybin, Smoking cessation Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

• 21 to 65 years old.
• Have given written informed consent.
• Have a high school level of education.
• Be a daily smoker with multiple unsuccessful previous quit attempts, and report a continued desire to quit smoking.
• Agree to abstain from smoking and alcohol for 24-hours, and caffeine for 12-hours prior to MRI scanning (for MRI participants only).
• Agree to abstain from smoking for the psilocybin session from 1 hour before psilocybin administration until at least 30 hours afterwards.
• 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 morning of drug session day. If the volunteer does not routinely consume caffeinated beverages, he or she must agree not to do so on session day.
• Agree to refrain from using any psychoactive drugs, including alcoholic beverages, within 24 hours of psilocybin administration. Exceptions include caffeine and nicotine.
• Be healthy 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.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women who are pregnant (positive pregnancy test) or nursing, or are not practicing an effective means of birth control
• Cardiovascular conditions: uncontrolled hypertension, angina, a clinically significant ECG abnormality (e.g., atrial fibrilation), TIA in the last 6 months stroke, peripheral or pulmonary vascular disease
• Epilepsy with history of seizures
• Insulin-dependent diabetes; if taking oral hypoglycemic agent, then no history of hypoglycemia
• Currently taking psychoactive prescription medication on a regular basis
• Currently taking on a regular (e.g., daily) basis any medications having a primary centrally-acting pharmacological effect on serotonin neurons or medications that are MAO inhibitors. For individuals who have intermittent or PRN use of such medications, psilocybin sessions will not be conducted until at least 5 half-lives of the agent have elapsed after the last dose.
• Have HIV or Syphilis.
• Have any current neurological illnesses including, but not limited to, seizure disorders, frequent migraines or on prophylaxis, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, history of significant head trauma, or CNS tumor.
• Morbidly obese, or severely underweight as determined by medical examination.
• Not suitable to undergo an MRI session due to certain implanted devices (cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator, some artificial joints, metal pins, surgical clips or other implanted metal parts), body morphology, or claustrophobia (for MRI participants only).
• Current or past history of meeting DSM-IV criteria for Schizophrenia, Psychotic Disorder (unless substance-induced or due to a medical condition), or Bipolar I or II Disorder.
• Current or past history within the last 5 years of meeting DSM-IV criteria for alcohol or drug dependence (excluding caffeine and nicotine) or severe major depression.
• Have a first or second degree relative with schizophrenia, psychotic disorder (unless substance induced or due to a medical condition), or bipolar I or II disorder.
• Currently meets DSM-IV criteria for Dissociative Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Major Depression, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.