This study will serve as a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP) in Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Patients with severe IBS will undergo 3 pre-psychotherapy sessions with two licensed and trained psychedelic therapists, then will be randomized to undergo a guided psychotherapy session with single 25 mg oral "high" dose of psilocybin or a single 100 mg dose of niacin (active placebo) and attend 4 post-therapy integration sessions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
10
Psilocybin 25 mg (active treatment) administered during the psychotherapy treatment session.
The psychotherapy treatment sessions will be conducted by two therapists, who will be both present for all the sessions during three phases of treatment: Preparation, Medication Administration, and Integration.
Niacin 100 mg (placebo) administered during the psychotherapy treatment session.
NYU Langone Health
New York, New York, United States
Change in Abdominal Pain Severity Numeric Rating Scale (APS-NRS) Score
A single-item assessment of abdominal pain severity in patients with IBS. Patients rate their pain severity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). The total score ranges from 0-10; lower scores indicate less severe pain.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6
Change in IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) Score
The IBS-SSS asks five questions about the severity of IBS symptoms over the past 10 days: abdominal pain, abdominal distention, bowel habits, and quality of life. Each question is rated on a 100-point scale. The total score is the sum of responses and ranges from 0-500; lower scores indicate less severe symptoms, where 75-175 = mild; 175-300 = moderate; and greater than 300 = severe.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale: Anxiety Score
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale asks 14 questions related to anxiety and depression. The Anxiety subscale comprises 7 questions; each are rated on a scale from 0-3. The total Anxiety score ranges from 0-21; higher scores indicate more severe anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale: Depression Score
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale asks 14 questions related to anxiety and depression. The Depression subscale comprises 7 questions; each are rated on a scale from 0-3. The total Depression score ranges from 0-21; higher scores indicate more severe depression.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6
Number of Participants with "Type 3" or "Type 4" Rating on Bristol Stool Form Scale
The Bristol Stool Form Scale rates the consistency of stool on the following scale: Type 1 and 2: May be difficult to pass, may indicate constipation. Type 3 and 4: Ideal stools. Type 5: Trending toward diarrhea. Type 6 and 7: Diarrhea. This measure assesses the number of participants with Type 3 and 4 (ideal) stools.
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Time frame: Baseline
Number of Participants with "Type 3" or "Type 4" Rating on Bristol Stool Form Scale
The Bristol Stool Form Scale rates the consistency of stool on the following scale: Type 1 and 2: May be difficult to pass, may indicate constipation. Type 3 and 4: Ideal stools. Type 5: Trending toward diarrhea. Type 6 and 7: Diarrhea. This measure assesses the number of participants with Type 3 and 4 (ideal) stools.
Time frame: Month 6