This pilot study will evaluate the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in people with Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). This study will examine the impact of psilocybin treatment on cannabis use and related variables in 12 people with CUD. This is an open-label proof-of-concept trial in which participants will complete a 12-week course of study treatment including two psilocybin sessions with psychological support, and follow-up assessments 3 and 6 months after the first psilocybin session.
This pilot study will evaluate the therapeutic potential of psilocybin to produce significant reduction in cannabis use compared to pre-treatment in a sample of 12 treatment-seeking patients with Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Upon enrollment, participants will complete a 12-week course of study treatment including two psilocybin sessions, with follow-up assessment 3 and 6 months after the first psilocybin session. After 4 weekly preparatory meetings including a targeted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for CUD, participants will receive a moderately high dose (25mg) of psilocybin in week 5 of the 12-week counseling, and either another moderately high dose (25mg) or a high dose (35mg) in week 7. After each psilocybin session, participants will complete a follow-up meeting within 3 days (i.e. integration meeting), as well as continued weekly meetings through week 12. Participants will complete post-session assessments in approximately weeks 12 (End of Treatment), 17 (3 months after 1st psilocybin session, and 29 (6 months after 1st psilocybin session). Some study meetings may be held virtually via a secure web-based video conference platform (e.g., Zoom). Self-reported cannabis use and biomarkers of recent use will be assessed at baseline (screening), weekly throughout the 12-week intervention, and at approximately weeks 17 (3 months after 1st psilocybin session), and 29 (6 months after 1st psilocybin session).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
Participants will receive a moderately high dose (25mg) of psilocybin in week 5 of the 12-week counseling, and either another moderately high dose (25mg) or a high dose (35mg) in week 7.
Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
RECRUITINGSelf-reported cannabis use as assessed by a modified Timeline Follow-Back interview
This information will be collected using a modified Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) interview. The TLFB (past 30 days), uses a calendar with specific anchor dates to identify the quantity and frequency of use.
Time frame: Baseline, weekly up to 3 months
Biomarkers of recent cannabis use
Urine samples will be collected and tested for the presence of biomarkers indicating cannabis use.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months
Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score
The BDI-II is a widely-used, 21-item measure of cognitive and vegetative depressive symptoms. It has good reliability and validity, and can be scored to include as well as exclude somatic symptoms. The total score can range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score
The PSQI is a 19-item self-report inventory that provides measures of daytime dysfunction; sleep latency, duration, disturbance, quality and efficiency. The component scores are summed to produce a global score (range 0 to 21). Higher scores indicate worse sleep quality.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months
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