Psilocybin Microdosing With Psychotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of a six-week microdosing regimen of psilocybin combined with short-term, experience-based psychotherapy in patients with treatment-resistant depression who have not responded to previous pharmacological or long-term psychological interventions. Hypothesis: Compared to baseline, the group that begins with psilocybin will exhibit a more rapid reduction in depressive symptoms after six weeks, compared to the group that begins with placebo and receives only…
Conditions studied
Treatment Resistant Depression
About this study
Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of a six-week microdosing regimen of psilocybin combined with short-term, experience-based psychotherapy in patients with treatment-resistant depression who have not responded to previous pharmacological or long-term psychological interventions. Hypothesis: Compared to baseline, the group that begins with psilocybin will exhibit a more rapid reduction in depressive symptoms after six weeks, compared to the group that begins with placebo and receives only psychotherapy. Following the crossover between conditions, the placebo-first group will also show an accelerated reduction in these measures after the subsequent six weeks. Alternative hypothesis: No difference will be observed between groups in the rate of symptom reduction. Objective: To examine biological markers that may mediate potential improvements in depressive symptoms among participants receiving psilocybin microdosing compared to placebo. Hypothesis: Compared to baseline, six weeks of active psilocybin dosing will result in decreased levels of cortisol and inflammatory markers, and increased levels of oxytocin and BDNF in saliva. Objective: To assess psychological factors that may mediate potential improvements in depressive symptoms among participants receiving psilocybin microdosing compared to placebo. Hypothesis: Compared to baseline, six weeks of active psilocybin dosing will lead to increased cognitive flexibility, greater self-compassion, and enhanced present-moment awareness. Objective: To explore a subpopulation of women experiencing premenstrual symptom exacerbation (PMS) and the potential for improvement in depressive symptoms in the days preceding menstruation, if any. Hypothesis: Among women with worsened premenstrual symptoms, psilocybin will reduce premenstrual symptoms, specifically depressive symptoms, compared to baseline.
Interventions
- Drug: Psilocybin (drug) — 0.4 grams
- Other: Placebo — Placebo
Primary outcomes
- Beck Depression Inventory -II (BDI-II) change from baseline (Baseline, Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24)
- Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (Baseline, Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24)
- Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS (Baseline, Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24)
- Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) (Baseline, Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24)
- Self-Compassion Scale, Neff, 2003b (Baseline, Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24)
- The Quality of Life Enjoyment & Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LESQ-SF) . (Baseline, Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24)
- Premenstrual symptoms screening tool: PSST, Steiner (Baseline, Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24)
- Cognitive Flexibility Scale (Baseline, Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24)
Eligibility information
Study locations
- Mental Health Center Beer Sheva, Beersheba, Israel
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-11-15.