Psychedelics Studies

From case series to clinical pilots to observational studies

 

  • Ketamine

    Dissociative anesthetic; C13H16ClNO; Special K, Blind Squid, Cat Valium, Green, Jet, K, K-Hold, Kay, Super Acid, Vitamin K

  • Psilocybin

    Classic hallucinogen; C12H17N2O4P; Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Mushies, Boomers, Alice, Caps, Tweezes

  • LSD

    Classic hallucinogen; C20H25N3O; Acid, Lucy, Tabs, Blotter, Dots, Sugar Cubes, Yellow Sunshine, Window Pane

  • Mescaline

    Classic hallucinogen; C11H17NO3·HCl; Big Chief, Blue Caps, Buttons, Cactus, Mescal, Moon, San Pedro, Topi

  • MDMA

    Empathogen-entactogen; C11H15NO2; Ecstasy, Molly, XTC, E, X, Beans, Adams, Candy, Clarity, Dancing Shoes, Rolls, Eve

Emotion-Focused Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anorexia Nervosa: An Exploratory Open-Label Study

Anya Ragnhildstveit; Adele Lafrance, PhD; Reid Robison, MD

This survey-based study will explore psychedelic use among the general population by segmenting responses into user profiles and examining their positive and negative relationship with personality, cognitive, and social constructs. Findings will elucidate key individual differences as predictors of psychedelic use in addition to good and bad ‘trips’.

NOTICE: This study has been approved by the Duke Health Institutional Review Board (Protocol ID: #2022-0467). Participants are being recruited at this time, primarily through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and Prolific subject pools. Inquire for details.

Effects of Ketamine and Esketamine on Depression and Anxiety in Adults with Binge Eating Disorder: A Real-World Case Series

Anya Ragnhildstveit; Naz Uzun; Reid Robison, MD

This clinical trial will investigate changes in functional brain network organization among healthy volunteers dosed with psilocybin. State-of-the-art, precision neuroscience techniques and rigorous data collection measures will be utilized, including: a) resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), b) blood sampling to detect presence and change in psilocybin as well as other potential biomarkers of interest, and c) valid scales to assess participants’ psychedelic experience, emotions, and creativity, among other constructs.

NOTICE: This study has NOT gained ethics approval. It is preparing for review by the Duke Health Institutional Review Board to ensure the protection of human research subjects. Participants at NOT being recruited at this time.

Family MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Treating Past Trauma: Healing Together

Anya Ragnhildstveit; Lisa Bass; Lynnette Averill, PhD

This randomized, survey-based study will explore stigma against the notion of receiving at-home psychedelic therapy from mental health chatbots compared to humans. This is rooted in the intuition that AIs are likely not viewed as ‘true’ therapists capable of satisfying concrete features and their abstract values, such as presence, trust, and empathy - key competencies of psychedelic therapists. Results will guide discussions on emerging, digital-based solutions with potential to increase access to care in the field.

NOTICE: This study has been approved by the Duke Health Institutional Review Board (Protocol ID: #2023-0002). Participants are being recruited at this time, primarily through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and Prolific subject pools. Inquire for details.

Family Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Real-World Clinical Case Series

Madeline Brendle; Neil Barclay, MD; Reid Robison, MD

This survey-based study will characterize knowledge, perceptions, and past use of serotonergic and non-serotonergic psychedelics among parents, and further explore the acceptability of psychedelic interventions for children and adolescents with mental illness. Findings will unveil treatment acceptability as well as correlates and underlying psychological processes.

NOTICE: This study has NOT gained ethics approval. It is preparing for review by the Duke Health Institutional Review Board to ensure the protection of human research subjects. Participants at NOT being recruited at this time.

Effects on Ayahuasca on Connectedness Compassion, and Life Satisfaction: Findings from a Naturalistic Group Study

Principal Investigators: Anya Ragnhildstveit; Reid Robison, MD

This survey-based study will explore psychedelic use among the general population by segmenting responses into user profiles and examining their positive and negative relationship with personality, cognitive, and social constructs. Findings will elucidate key individual differences as predictors of psychedelic use in addition to good and bad ‘trips’.

NOTICE: This study has been approved by the Duke Health Institutional Review Board (Protocol ID: #2022-0467). Participants are being recruited at this time, primarily through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and Prolific subject pools. Inquire for details.

Effects of DMT-Psilocybin on Connectedness in Group Retreat

Principal Investigators: Michael Gaffrey, Ph.D. & Ahmad Hariri, Ph.D.

This clinical trial will investigate changes in functional brain network organization among healthy volunteers dosed with psilocybin. State-of-the-art, precision neuroscience techniques and rigorous data collection measures will be utilized, including: a) resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), b) blood sampling to detect presence and change in psilocybin as well as other potential biomarkers of interest, and c) valid scales to assess participants’ psychedelic experience, emotions, and creativity, among other constructs.

NOTICE: This study has NOT gained ethics approval. It is preparing for review by the Duke Health Institutional Review Board to ensure the protection of human research subjects. Participants at NOT being recruited at this time.