Psilocybin-assisted therapy to improve physician well-being and reduce burnout

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This open-label Phase 1/2 trial will enroll UCSD faculty physicians experiencing persistent burnout and deliver preparatory psychotherapy, a supervised psilocybin dosing session, and post-treatment integration sessions. Burnout symptoms will be measured using the Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index before and after treatment, and safety and feasibility outcomes will be tracked throughout. A secondary aim is to record neurophysiological changes with EEG to explore mechanisms associated with clinical response. The protocol excludes people with psychotic or bipolar disorders, recent inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, active substance use disorder, or current use of certain psychotropic medications.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Faculty physician, aged 21-70. Volunteer faculty are not included
2. Meets criteria for physician burnout
3. Experiencing symptoms of burnout for \>6 months
4. Able to complete all required study visits
5. Not previously diagnosed with a serious mental illness (including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression), or substance use disorder as confirmed in clinical interview
6. Not currently taking any psychotropic medications or nonpsychotropic medication that may be associated with serotonin syndrome, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI or SNRI), dextromethorphan, linezolid, tramadol, meperidine

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous inpatient psychiatric hospitalization(s)
2. Previously diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or other psychotic spectrum disorder), bipolar spectrum disorder, personality disorder (borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or other severe personality disorders), any severe psychiatric disorder.
3. Exhibiting elevated suicide risk
4. First degree family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder
5. Prior exposure to psilocybin or other psychedelic compounds in the previous 5 years
6. Currently pregnant, nursing, planning pregnancy, engaging in sexual intercourse without effective contraceptive method in last three months
7. Those who plan to donate sperm within three months following the study.
8. Known cardiovascular disease including history of stroke, myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension, valvular heart disease, tachycardia, elongated QT interval, or clinically significant arrythmia.
9. History of seizure disorder
10. Use of recreational illicit drugs
11. Clinically concerning results from vital signs, ECG, physical examination, or laboratory tests during screening
12. Any other clinically significant illnesses deemed to pose risk for the participant

Where it's running

• UC San Diego
  San Diego, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Vy Nguyen
• Email: vyn014@health.ucsd.edu
• Phone: 619-363-2465

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Using voice patterns to detect burnout in healthcare workers

  This study tests whether speech and voice signals can reveal burnout and stress in clinicians and whether a stress-management device changes those voice markers.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation · Minneapolis, Minnesota · NCT07780812

• Floatation-REST for frontline workers with post-traumatic stress symptoms

  This early pilot tests whether two 60-minute Floatation-REST sessions can be safely tried by frontline healthcare workers and first responders who have post-traumatic stress symptoms, compared to watching a documentary.

  Recruiting Early Phase 1 Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc. · Tulsa, Oklahoma · NCT07710417

• Burnout and Safety in Home Hospital vs Brick-and-Mortar Hospitals

  This study tests whether frontline clinicians in home hospital programs experience different burnout levels and workplace violence than those in traditional inpatient hospitals.

  Recruiting Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT07773168

• Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Peer Workers

  We’re testing whether Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention can help substance-use peer workers cut down on use and burnout compared with usual referrals to a 12-step program.

  Recruiting University of Texas at Austin · Austin, Texas · NCT07741825

• Virtual Reality Program to Support Healthcare Workers

  A brief immersive virtual reality program is being tested to see if it helps reduce burnout and improve well-being for healthcare workers.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Badalona Serveis Assistencials · Badalona, Barcelona and 1 other locations · NCT07649733

• Student Midwife Support Circle to reduce burnout and strengthen resilience and professional belonging

  This project will try a Student Midwife Support Circle with midwifery students to see if it lowers burnout and increases resilience and a sense of professional belonging.

  Recruiting Amasya University · Amasya, Center · NCT07583199

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.