Psilocybin for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

Recruiting now · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Opioid Use Disorder

In brief

This is a double-blind, adaptive, 2-stage, multi-site, phase 2 randomized controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate effects of moderate and high dose psilocybin, relative to low-dose psilocybin control, in OUD patients who continue to use illicit opioids in spite of adherence to standard-of-care treatment with methadone. Up to 480 participations will be consented to yield 240 randomized participants. This study is part of the NIH HEAL Initiative (https://heal.nih.gov/). In Stage 1, subjects will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: psilocybin 30 mg (high dose), psilocybin 20 mg (medium dose), and psilocybin 1 mg (control condition). By the end of Stage 1, an interim statistical analysis will be performed. The study will proceed to Stage 2 if at least one of the active dosages of psilocybin demonstrates 1) acceptable safety, based on analysis of safety data from Stage 1; and 2) conditional power of at least 25%, based on effect size estimates for the primary opioid use outcome (weeks of biologically-verified abstinence during 24 weeks of follow-up). Using a priori decision rules, the interim analysis will determine which of the active treatment groups (30 mg, 20 mg, or both) will be retained in Stage 2 of the trial. Stage 2 will continue the study, using the same treatment and assessment protocols, but retaining only the active dosage or dosages with a high probability of demonstrating efficacy relative to the psilocybin 1 mg control condition. The primary aims are to 1) Evaluate safety and efficacy outcomes in Stage 1 subjects in order to optimize design of the Stage 2, 2) Determine whether treatment with a single high (30 mg) or medium (20 mg) dose of psilocybin improves OUD treatment outcomes, relative to psilocybin 1 mg (control condition), in patients who continue to use illicit opioids despite adherence to methadone treatment, 3) Evaluate the effects of high-dose psilocybin and medium dose psilocybin on self-reported OUD-related neuropsychopathology, and 4) Identify likely responders to psilocybin treatment by using machine learning to model post-treatment OUD outcomes, based on pretreatment characteristics including all relevant clinical data, evaluations, and questionnaires.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06796062

Run by

NYU Langone Health

People needed

480

Starts

2025-12-17

Expected to finish

2029-02-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-01-23

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Are able to provide voluntary informed consent.
• Have a breath alcohol concentration ≤ 0.01% at Screening Part 2, as determined by a breath alcohol reading from a calibrated breath alcohol sensor. (Note: this criterion may be re-evaluated within the 30-day screening period. This criterion will also be reassessed at Baseline and on Day 0 (prior to IP administration). Those not meeting the criterion may be rescheduled once within 14 days if the criterion is likely to resolve within 14 days in the judgement of the Investigator).
• Are able to read, speak, and understand English, as documented during the informed consent process.
• a. Non-English speaking subjects will be excluded because the study is using only validated English-language versions of of assessment instruments.
• Are 18 to 65 years old, inclusive, at Screening Part 2.
• Have Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM 5) diagnosis of OUD, based on an evaluation performed by trained study staff using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
• Want to stop their use of illicit opioids.
• Are in treatment at one of participating Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) for at least 6 months at the time of Screening Part 2.
• Are currently prescribed a methadone dose of at least 60 mg per day.
• Methadone dosage has changed by no more than 20 mg in the past month
• Have taken methadone at least 25 out of the last 30 days
• Have had at least one urine drug screen positive for non-prescribed opioids in the past 30 days at the time of Screening Part 2
• Report using opioids by insufflation, injection, or smoking
• Are able and willing to adhere to all study requirements, including attending all study visits and treatment sessions, and completing all assessments.
• Are able to provide at least one drug screen negative for illicit opioids, cocaine, and amphetamine-type stimulants during the screening period. (Note: this criterion may be re-evaluated within the 30-day screening period. This criterion will be reassessed at Day 0 [prior to IP administration]. Those not meeting the criterion on Day 0 may be rescheduled within 14 days if the criterion is likely to resolve in the judgement of the Investigator.)
• Agree to refrain from any non-prescribed psychotropic substance or illicit drug use for at least 72 hours prior to IP administration, with the exceptions of alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and caffeine. Regarding alcohol and cannabis, subjects must agree to attempt to abstain at least 24 hours before the IP administration session. Regarding nicotine, they must agree not to use nicotine for at least 1 hour before and 6 hours following IP administration. Regarding caffeine, they must agree to consume approximately their usual amount of caffeine on the morning of Day 0 (prior to IP administration).
• Agree to refrain from taking all non-prescription medications and supplements (nutritional and herbal) for at least 1 week prior to the IP administration session unless approved by the Investigator.
• Are able to swallow capsules.
• Agree to practice effective contraception as described below.
• Subjects are considered able to become pregnant unless they:
• Do not have a uterus
• Are postmenopausal (has had 12 months of natural amenorrhea with a matching clinical profile [age, history of vasomotor symptoms]) prior to Screening Part 2, or
• Are surgically sterile (documented hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy)
• Subjects who are able to become pregnant must:
• Have a negative pregnancy test at Screening Part 2 (Reassessed at Day 0 (pre-IP administration);

You may not qualify if…

• Have any medical condition that would preclude safe participation in the study, including the following, as determined by medical history review, physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), and clinical laboratory tests:
• Seizure disorder
• Significantly impaired liver function, defined as 1) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and/or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 5 × upper limit of normal (ULN); 2) ALT or AST > 3 × ULN with concomitant total bilirubin > 2.0 × ULN; or 3) ALT or AST ≥ 3 × ULN with the appearance of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant pain or tenderness, fever, rash, and/or eosinophilia.
• Cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease, angina, history of arrhythmia (unless a successful ablation has been performed), heart failure, history of heart valve replacement, and history of cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack.
• Uncontrolled hypertension with systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg. (Note: subjects who otherwise qualify at Screening Part 2 will have 3 opportunities to produce 1 blood pressure reading ≤ 140/90 mmHg (each reading will be collected at least 15 minutes apart). If blood pressure is consistently elevated > 140/90 mmHg across all 3 attempts, subjects may be referred to their primary care provider for management of hypertension. Upon management of blood pressure, subjects will have an opportunity to return once within the 30 day screening window to make 3 additional attempts at a blood pressure reading ≤ 140/90 mmHg. Subjects will be considered eligible upon registering 1 blood pressure reading ≤ 140/90 mmHg during the screening period. Blood pressure will be reassessed on Day 0 prior to dosing, and must be less than or equal to 140 systolic, 90 diastolic, with resting pulse ≤ 100 (ascertained within 20 minutes of drug administration in order for the participant to receive study medication.)
• Serious ECG abnormalities present on the ECG obtained on Day -65 (e.g., evidence of ischemia, myocardial infarction, QT interval corrected for heart rate [QTc] prolongation (QTc > 0.45 seconds), arrhythmia, or conduction abnormalities that increase the risk of arrhythmia.
• Hyperthyroidism
• Insulin-dependent diabetes
• Any other medical condition which precludes safe participation in the study in the medical opinion of the Investigator.
• (Note: medical history will be updated and ECG will be repeated on Day 0, prior to dosing. Those not meeting the criterion will not be randomized but may be rescheduled once within 14 days if the criterion is likely to resolve within 14 days in the judgement of the Investigator.)
• Have any of the following DSM-5 psychiatric disorders, as determined by the MINI, Psychiatric History and Psychosis Screening Questionnaire at Screening Part 2: (Note: psychiatric history will be re-evaluated on Day 0, but the MINI will not be re-administered on Day 0)
• Lifetime history of schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder.
• Lifetime history of bipolar disorder.
• Current severe major depression (based on a MINI diagnosis of major depression, current, and a MADRS score >34 at Screening)
• Alcohol use disorder including alcohol withdrawal.
• More than mild opioid withdrawal (COWS score >12). (This criterion may be re-evaluated within the 30-day screening period. This criterion will be reassessed on Day 0. Those not meeting the criterion may be rescheduled once within 14 days if the criterion is likely to resolve within 14 days in the judgement of the Investigator.)
• Have active suicidal ideation with intent, based on Columbia - Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) assessment (severity score >3) at Screening Part 2, confirmed by the Investigator. (Note: this criterion will be reassessed at each visit that occurs prior to Day 0, and on Day 0 prior to IP administration. Subjects will be discharged if actively suicidal, and appropriate follow-up will be arranged.arranged.
• Have made a suicide attempt within the past 12 months, based on C-SSRS assessment at Screening Part 2 and confirmation by the Investigator. (Note: this criterion will be reassessed at each visit that occurs prior to Day 0, and on Day 0 prior to IP administration. Subjects will be discharged if actively suicidal, and appropriate follow-up will be arranged.
• Have a family history (first degree relatives) of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder type 1.
• Have a history of hallucinogen use disorder or hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD).
• Have any hallucinogen use in the past 1 year.
• Have > 25 lifetime uses of classic psychedelics.
• Are currently in jail, prison, or other overnight facility as required by court of law or have pending legal action that could prevent participation in study activities.
• Are taking any protocol-prohibited medications and supplements (See Section 6.5.3). Any prohibited medications and supplements must have been stopped for at least 5 elimination half-lives or 14 days, whichever is longer, prior to Day 0. Prescribed psychotropic medications and any other medically necessary medications must not be stopped in order to qualify for the study. (Note: concomitant medications will be reassessed on Day 0.)
• Have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to psilocybin or any of the materials contained in the IP used in the study.

Where it is running

• Duke City Recovery Toolbox — Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States (enrolling)
• University of New Mexico — Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States (enrolling)
• StartCare — Brooklyn, New York, United States (enrolling)
• NYU Langone Health — New York, New York, United States (enrolling)
• VIP Community Services, Inc — The Bronx, New York, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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