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Psilocybe Cubensis Mushrooms With or Without Fluoxetine for Refractory Depression
Sponsor: Federal University of Latin American Integration
Summary
This Phase 2a pilot, exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial will estimate whether concurrent fluoxetine alters the antidepressant effect, acute psychedelic experience, or safety of a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy session in adults with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD). Eligible participants (ages 25-64) have DSM-5-TR MDD, moderate-severe, MADRS ≥20, and partial response in the current episode (≥1 adequate antidepressant trial of 6-12 weeks with \<50% symptom reduction). All participants receive one dosing session with 3g of standardized Psilocybe mushrooms - with batch assay (e.g., LC-MS) to determine the amount of psilocybin and psilocin present in the sample - with manualized preparation and integration. Participants are randomized 1:1 to fluoxetine 20 mg/day or matching placebo for 4 weeks, started 2 weeks before the psychedelic session and continued 2 weeks after. Masking is quadruple (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor). The primary outcome is change in MADRS from Baseline to Week 4, assessed by a remote, blinded rater. Key secondary outcomes include response (≥50% MADRS reduction) and remission (MADRS ≤10) at Week 4, and durability at Week 6. Exploratory outcomes assess the psychedelic experience (5D-ASC, SOCQ), psychological flexibility (AAQ-10), and safety/tolerability (UKU and adverse events). Findings will be interpreted as estimates with 95% confidence intervals to inform the design of a subsequent confirmatory trial.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
25 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
24
Start Date
2024-09-05
Completion Date
2026-11-20
Last Updated
2026-03-27
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Psilocybin and Psilocyn
Oral dose administered via Psilocybe mushrooms material batch-assayed by LC-MS to standardize psilocybin and psilocyn content.
Placebo
Matching capsules, once daily for 4 weeks (-14 to +14 days).
Psychotherapy-assisted session
Same manualized procedures as Arm 1.
Fluoxetine
20 mg/day for 4 weeks (-14 to +14 days relative to dosing day).
Locations (1)
Federal University of Latin American Integration
Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil