Mindfulness-Enhanced Ketamine Therapy for Opioid Use Disorder
Official title: KETAMORE: TARGETING TREATMENT-RESISTANT OUD WITH KETAMINE-ASSISTED MINDFULNESS-ORIENTED RECOVERY ENHANCEMENT
Run by University of California, San Diego · NCT07369089 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether adding Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy helps people with opioid use disorder who are on MOUD reduce opioid use and cravings.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 88 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Diego Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (La Jolla, California and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 2028 |
| Study ends | April 2028 |
| Registry record updated | November 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07369089 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults with DSM-5 Opioid Use Disorder who are on buprenorphine-containing MOUD and can attend sessions and have a support person to escort them after dosing.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals for whom mindfulness-based strategies are ineffective or those who do not respond to ketamine-assisted therapy may not experience additional benefits.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This Phase 2, two-arm randomized trial compares Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with MORE against Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with a non-mindfulness support group in people with opioid use disorder who are receiving MOUD. Participants are randomized 1:1 and all receive the same ketamine dosing and psychotherapy components; the difference is the mindfulness-based intervention versus a general support group. Outcomes include days of opioid use, time to first lapse, craving, and mood, assessed during treatment and follow-up. Assessments occur at baseline, during treatment, post-treatment, and in follow-up periods. The study aims to determine if adding MORE can improve opioid-use outcomes beyond ketamine-assisted therapy alone.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a more effective treatment option by reducing opioid use and cravings through mindfulness-based strategies combined with ketamine-assisted therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests mindfulness-based interventions can reduce craving and relapse in substance use, but combining MORE with ketamine-assisted therapy in OUD is a novel approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. English-speaking .
2. DSM-5 criteria for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).
3. Documented evidence (by urine toxicology) of current illicit drug use (upon screening) or by self-report on the Addiction Severity Index (ASI).
4. Men/Women \>/= 18
5. Current prescription of a buprenorphine-containing product.
6. Have a support person that would be able to escort the subject home on the evening of the ketamine dosing session. The use of ride services will not be permitted (e.g., Uber, Lift, taxi, etc.).
7. Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations
Exclusion Criteria:
* 1\. A primary DSM-5 Axis I diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, dissociative identity disorder, or bipolar I/II disorder as determined by psychiatric evaluation.
2\. Has baseline hypertension (≥160 SBP or ≥100 DBP), after repeated measurements. Note: Participants with hypertension that has been controlled by medication down to \<160 Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and \<100 diastolic blood pressure (DBP) will be allowed participate.
3\. Has baseline abnormal resting heart rate (\>100 or \<60). 4. History of cardiovascular disease, including but not limited to clinically significant coronary artery disease, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac ischemia, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary artery bypass graft or artificial heart valve, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or any clinically significant arrhythmia.
5\. Has QTcf \>450msec for men or women on EKG. Note: Participants may qualify for the study if QTc 450-480 msec on one EKG, but then \<=450 msec on repeat EKG. If QT-prolonging medications are started or increased in dose after enrollment and prior to ketamine administration, a repeat EKG must be done \>12-hours after this change in order to assure continued safe enrollment in the trial.
6\. Active suicidal intent or suicidal or non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors, as defined by a "yes" response to question 4 on C-SSRS within the past 6 months at screening or prior to dosing (Active Suicidal Ideation with Some Intent to Act, with or without Specific Plan).
7\. Suicidal behaviors within the last 6 month. 8. History of allergy or hypersensitivity reaction to ketamine. 9. History of ketamine use disorder. 10. History of intracranial bleeding or stroke. 11. Current intracranial mass. 12. Seizure within the last 6 months prior to screening visit. 13. Baseline oxygen saturation \<95%. 14. Current significant liver disease. 15. Meets the following laboratory parameters:
1. Any significant liver diseases or symptoms of liver disease regardless of liver enzyme levels.
2. Asymptomatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \>=5x upper limit of normal (ULN).
3. Symptomatic ALT or AST \>= 2x ULN.
4. AST/ALT \>3 upper limit of normal (ULN)
5. Total bilirubin \> 1.5x ULN (Gilbert syndrome is allowed).
6. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) \>2x ULN.
7. Renal insufficiency (i.e., estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 30 milliliter/minute (mL/min) /1.73 m\^2 (using the 2021 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) Creatinine Equation), Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) \< 30 mL/min (using the Cockcroft-Gault Equation), or current dialysis)).
16\. Currently pregnant or breastfeeding. 17. Has uncontrolled insulin-dependent diabetes and has had a hospitalization for diabetes-related complication within 6 months of signing ICF.
18\. Diagnosed cognitive impairments, including dementia, mild cognitive impairment, traumatic brain injury, or developmental delays, that would prevent the participant from completing the study protocol, as identified by self-disclosure when asked in eligibility screening question.
19\. Individuals prescribed monoamine oxidase inhibitors.(see Appendix 1) 20. Individuals prescribed medications that are CYP2B6 inhibitors or inducers (see Appendix 1) 21. Patients taking \>2 mg of lorazepam-equivalents per day.
Where it's running
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California, United States Recruiting -
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Hannah Pfeffer, LMSW
- Email: hapfeffer@health.ucsd.edu
- Phone: 619-500-4668
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
CBD for Opioid Dependence and Pain on Buprenorphine
This study tests whether different doses of cannabidiol (CBD) can affect pain and opioid cravings in adults with opioid use disorder who are on buprenorphine, using a short, randomized, placebo-controlled setup.
-
Cebranopadol for opioid withdrawal in adults with chronic pain
This study tests whether cebranopadol can reduce withdrawal symptoms in adults with chronic pain who are physically dependent on prescribed opioids, compared with placebo.
-
emPath platform pilot to link and keep adults with opioid use disorder in care in Durham
This pilot tests a mobile app and telemedicine approach to help adults with opioid use disorder start and stay in MOUD through community outreach in Durham, NC.
-
CB1 Receptors in Opioid Use Disorder Measured with a PET Radioligand
This study tests CB1 receptor availability in people with opioid use disorder starting opioid agonist therapy and compares them with healthy adults.
-
STORC: Training a support person plus patient navigation after birth
We’re testing whether training a designated support person and using patient navigation after delivery helps people with opioid use disorder build recovery resources and stay in treatment.
-
Personalized Addiction Treatment Enhancement for Opioid Use Disorder
A digital platform run by peer recovery supporters will be tested to help adults with opioid use disorder who are on buprenorphine or methadone stay in treatment and improve outcomes.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.