Mindfulness and psilocybin for chronic back pain
Official title: Brain mechanisms supporting mindfulness-assisted psilocybin therapy for chronic pain
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11449894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinical study will explore how mindfulness training combined with a guided psilocybin experience may reduce pain for adults with chronic low back pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $669,942 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AT013610-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic low back pain who are medically eligible and interested in psychedelic-assisted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with contraindications to psychedelics or mindfulness-based programs, or those not fit for MRI or other study procedures, may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you have chronic low back pain, this study will test a non-drug approach that blends mindfulness practice with a carefully monitored psilocybin session. Researchers will monitor brain activity and pain responses to understand how these methods might change pain processing in the brain, especially in the default mode network and related regions. The goal is to see if this combination can produce quick and durable pain relief and improvements in mood and function. Participants will receive supervision, safety checks, and support throughout the treatment and follow-up period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide an additional option for fast-acting relief from chronic back pain and improve overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests mindfulness and psychedelics can modulate pain-related brain networks, with early safety data supporting feasibility.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zeidan, Fadel — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Zeidan, Fadel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.