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Role of the Serotonin 2A Receptor in Psilocybin-induced Altered States of Consciousness
Sponsor: University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Summary
Psilocybin (active compound of "magic mushrooms") is a prototypical psychedelic substance that acts via agonism on serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptors. Psilocybin is rapidly metabolized into its active metabolite psilocin. Psilocybin is currently under investigation as potential treatment for various neuropsychiatric disorders. Psilocybin is also widely used for recreational purposes and as research tool in neuroscience. Besides its current clinical development, a clear characterization of the dose-response relationship of psilocybin is lacking. With the present study the investigators aim to close this knowledge gap by administering low (5mg) to high (40mg) single doses of psilocybin to healthy participants. Besides its agonism on 5-HT2A receptors, psilocin also binds to other receptors and inhibits serotonin transporters (SERT). To this data only few studies have investigated these effects and never at a high dose.
Official title: Role of the Serotonin 2A Receptor in Psilocybin-induced Altered States of Consciousness (PDR-Study)
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
25 Years - 75 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
16
Start Date
2025-04-21
Completion Date
2026-08
Last Updated
2025-05-28
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Ketanserin 40mg plus Psilocybin 40mg
40mg Ketanserin oral will be administered followed by 40mg Psilocybin.
40mg Psilocybin
Placebo oral followed by 40mg Psilocybin one hour later.
20mg Psilocybin
Placebo oral followed by 20mg Psilocybin one hour later.
10mg Psilocybin
Placebo oral followed by 10mg Psilocybin oral one hour later.
5mg Psilocybin
Placebo oral followed by 5mg Psilocybin one hour later
Placebo
Oral Placebo followed by oral Placebo one hour later
Locations (1)
Clinical Trial Unit
Basel, Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland