Psychedelic-assisted program for first responders

Assessing the Feasibility of a Custom Psychedelic-assisted Group Program on Mental and Physical Health in First Responders

This study is testing a 12-week program that combines psilocybin with therapy practices to see if it helps first responders build resilience and cope better with trauma.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase1; Phase2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 32 (estimated)
• Ages: 19 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Empower Research Inc (Industry-sponsored)
• Locations: 1 site (Surrey, British Columbia)
• Trial ID: NCT06471959 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the feasibility of a 12-week group program combining oral psilocybin with therapeutic practices tailored for first responders. Participants will engage in weekly sessions focusing on breath-work, mindfulness, and self-compassion, with a specific dosing session of psilocybin occurring at Week 10. The program aims to create a trauma-informed environment to enhance cognitive resilience among participants. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, mid-program, end of the program, and a 6-month follow-up to evaluate outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include first responders aged 19 to 65 with a clinically diagnosed mental health condition such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a mental health condition or are outside the age range of 19 to 65 may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve mental health outcomes for first responders dealing with trauma-related conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with psilocybin-assisted therapies, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female, 19 to 65 years of age
* Must be a first responder, any work status (Employed full-time or part-time, Off-work, Retired, Volunteer)
* Fluent in English
* Able to understand the informed consent form, study procedures and willing to participate in study
* Clinically diagnosed with a mental health condition such as:

  1. Depression
  2. Chronic anxiety
  3. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  4. PTSD
  5. Unresolved grief
  6. Adjustment Disorder
  7. Acute Stress Disorder
* Stable dose of medications for the last three months, with no changes anticipated for the duration of the study
* Medical clearance by the Investigator (MD) prior to study enrollment
* Willing and able to attend two in-person sessions throughout the 12-week program, in addition to remote sessions
* Concurrent therapy is allowed if the type and frequency of the therapy has been stable for at least two months prior to screening and is expected to remain stable during participation in the study.
* Agree to consume approximately the same amount of caffeine-containing beverage (e.g., coffee, tea) that he/she consumes on a usual morning, before arriving at the research unit on Week 10. If the participant does not routinely consume caffeinated beverages, he/she must agree not to do so on Week 10.
* Agree that for one week before the drug sessions, he/she will refrain from taking any nonprescription medication, nutritional supplement, or herbal supplement (specifically SAM-e, 5-HTP, L-tryptophan, St John's Wort) except when approved by the study Investigator. Exceptions will be evaluated by the Investigator and may include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and common doses of vitamins and minerals.
* Agree to refrain from consuming alcohol within two days prior to the Week 10 visit.
* Agree not to take any "as needed" medications on the morning of the Week 10 visit.
* Agree to use of highly effective methods of contraception during the study (females)
* Normal body mass index (BMI 18.5-24.9)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current or past history of schizophrenia, psychotic disorder (unless substance induced or due to a medical condition), bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, dissociative disorder, paranoid personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or substance abuse, as assessed by medical history
* Presence of active psychotic symptoms
* Currently diagnosed psychotic disorder in first-degree relatives, not including psychotic disorders secondary to an apparent medical reason, e.g. brain injury, dementia, or lesions of the brain, as assessed by medical history.
* Diagnosis of dementia or delirium
* Risk of suicide as determined by the Investigator
* Significantly intrusive PTSD as determined by the Investigator
* Extreme emotional lability can be disruptive to the group milieu and is a relative exclusion criterion
* Uncontrolled cardiopulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension
* Any other clinically significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, vascular or any other major concurrent illness that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may interfere with the interpretation of the study results or constitute a health risk for the participant if he/she takes part in the study
* Psychoactive substance use (MDMA, psilocybin, LSD) within the previous two months.
* If female and of child-bearing potential: pregnant, suspected or planning to become pregnant during the study
* Participation in another clinical trial (currently or within the last 30 days)
* Current use of rifamycins (rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine), anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), nevirapine, efavirenz, taxol, dexamethasone); cytochrome P450 Inhibitors - including all HIV protease inhibitors, verapamil, diltiazem, itraconazole, ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, and troleandomycin; ergot alkaloids, pimozide, midazolam, triazolam, lovastatin, simvastatin, fentanyl, warfarin, metoprolol, propranolol, buspirone, tramadol, selegiline, sumatriptan.
* Current use of inhibitors of UGT1A9 and 1A10, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclic antidepressants, aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors (ALDHs) and alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitors (ADHs).

Where this trial is running

Surrey, British Columbia

• Centre for Neurology Studies — Surrey, British Columbia, Canada (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Reginald Peters, MD — University of British Columbia (Clinical Assistant Professor)
• Study coordinator: Natasha Campbell, MSc

Conditions Psilocybin; Psychotherapy, Group