Investigating how psilocybin affects motivation and brain function in people with opioid use disorder
Psilocybin: Capturing brain mechanisms of motivation and neurocognition in individuals with opioid use disorder
This study is looking at how psilocybin, a natural compound, might help people struggling with opioid use disorder by seeing how it affects their motivation and thinking, and it’s for anyone interested in new ways to manage cravings and improve their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10978862 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of psilocybin, a compound that may help treat opioid use disorder (OUD), by examining its impact on brain mechanisms related to motivation and cognition. Participants will be assigned to receive either a therapeutic dose of psilocybin or a placebo, with assessments conducted before and after treatment to evaluate changes in brain activity and behavior. The study aims to understand how psilocybin influences responses to drug-related cues and the ability to inhibit cravings, potentially offering new insights into treatment for OUD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are seeking new treatment options.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or those currently undergoing other forms of treatment for substance use may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatment options for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results using psilocybin for treating substance use disorders, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Childress, Anna Rose — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Childress, Anna Rose
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.