Differing Approaches to Investigating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin across Diverse Indications

Lanier R, Schindler E, Kelmendi B, Bogenschutz M, Durgin C, Ashworth J

Psilocybin and other psychedelics are currently being investigated for their potential to treat or assist in the treatment of a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions, including substance use disorders. These conditions have overlapping, but distinct pathophysiologies and treatment modalities. How, then, is the efficacy of psilocybin across different disease states studied? Given the distinctiveness of target diseases, it is hypothesized that treatment approaches and dosing regimens will vary depending on the disease studied. Trial designs and results of three published early phase psilocybin trials, one each in alcohol use disorder (AUD), migraine , and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (preliminary results only) were analyzed comparing design aspects including study populations, dosing levels (e.g., psychedelic vs sub-psychedelic), number of treatment sessions and type of psychosocial or psychotherapeutic support provided (if any) with onset and duration of treatment effect.

To be presented at the 85th CPDD Annual Scientific Meeting, Poster Session 4,  June 21, 2023.