Psychedelics in Healthy Older Adults With Low Well-being
Official title: A Double Blind, Randomized Trial Investigating the Safety, Feasibility, and Mechanisms of Psychedelics in Healthy Older Adults With Low Well-being as Moderated by Biomarkers for Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease
Run by University of California, San Francisco · NCT07386730 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether psilocybin helps older adults with low well-being by looking at brain activity, inflammation, and body signals over about 3 months.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 50 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Francisco Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (San Francisco, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | February 2030 |
| Study ends | February 2030 |
| Registry record updated | September 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07386730 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults 50–85 with below-average well-being (WHO-5) but without cognitive impairment (MMSE > 24) and with a supportive contact person.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants with cognitive impairment, lactating or pregnant individuals, or those unable to comply with long dosing sessions or follow-up visits may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This early-phase trial investigates how psilocybin and dextromethorphan affect brain activity and inflammation in healthy adults aged 50–85 with low well-being. Researchers will monitor EEG changes, plasma inflammatory markers, and autonomic physiology using wearables, along with MRI brain scans over multiple visits. The study includes dosing with long-duration sessions and a mix of in-person and remote assessments to track short-term and longer-term effects. Participants must be able to complete lengthy dosing visits and have a suitable caregiver contact.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could indicate whether psilocybin helps improve well-being and brain health markers in older adults at risk for neuroinflammation.
How similar studies have gone: There is prior interest in psychedelics for mood and brain health, but data in older adults with biomarkers of AD is limited and this approach is exploratory.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
The eligibility criteria are deliberately incomplete to preserve the scientific integrity of the study. Inclusion Criteria: * Are between 50-85 years inclusive at time of consent signing * Have below-average well-being, defined by the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) * Have no cognitive impairments, indicated by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \>24 * Have an identified willing contact person with at least weekly contact with the participant to be able to provide meaningful information about the participant's daily function and able to pick up the study participant at the end of the Dosing Visit * Participants assigned female sex at birth must be non-lactating, and post-menopausal, defined as a period of over 12 months since the last menstrual period, or otherwise physically unable to become pregnant * Participants assigned male sex at birth must 1) refrain from sperm donation for 3 months after the Dosing Visit, and 2) if engaging in sexual activities that may result in pregnancy, must use a condom, plus their partner of childbearing potential must use a second, highly effective form of contraception for 3 months after the Dosing Visit * Be proficient in English * Are able and willing to provide consent as assessed by comprehension questions in informed consent process * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study * Ability to swallow oral medications (capsules) Exclusion Criteria: General: * Have a known allergic or severe reaction to Psilocybin, Dextromethorphan, or any of the non-active components of the IMP capsules * Insufficient ability to report on symptoms to make a valid assessment on any required instrument * Have a condition or presence of clinical feature which, in the opinion of the investigators might interfere with or prevent appropriate study participation or interfere with data interpretation MRI Exclusions: * Any implanted object or device that poses a safety risk or could interfere with MRI scanning (e.g. aneurysm clips, cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, cochlear implants, spinal cord stimulators, insulin or infusion pumps, metallic prostheses or fragments, heart valves, vascular stents, or shunts. surgical staples, clips, or joint replacements, radiation seeds, medication patches containing metal, or any other metallic or electronic implants) * History of metallic injury to the eyes or body, or those with tattoos containing metallic ink, permanent makeup, or body piercings that cannot be removed. * Any condition that poses a safety risk or could interfere with MRI scanning (e.g. severe claustrophobia or motion disorders or breathing problems, etc) Psychiatric: •History of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) (as per DSM-5 criteria) Cardiovascular: * Clinically significant cardiovascular conditions e.g., clinically significant EKG abnormalities, transient ischemic attack in the last 6 months, history of hemorrhagic stroke, history of myocardial infarction within 1 year of signing informed consent form (ICF) * Baseline (heart rate \< 60 bpm or \> 90 bpm at screening or pre-dose * Baseline hypertension (≥140 SBP or ≥90 DBP), after repeated measurements * QTc Interval \> 450msec on 12-lead EKG. Note: If QT-prolonging medications are started or increased in dose after enrollment and prior to dosing visit, a repeat EKG must be done \>12-hours after this change to assure continued safe enrollment in the trial * Clinically significant arrhythmia (e.g., uncontrolled atrial fibrillation, or untreated supraventricular tachycardia) * Any current condition where physical activity is associated with palpitations, anginal pain or syncope General health: * Major systemic disorders, including seizure, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, recent history (last 12 months) of advanced cancer or its treatment (radiation therapy or chemotherapy), had major surgery within 6 months from screening or plans to have surgery while enrolled in the study * Inadequate hepatic function as determined by total bilirubin or alkaline phosphatase \>3x institutional upper limit of normal; or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine transaminase (ALT) \>3x institutional upper limit of normal. However, participants with Gilbert syndrome are allowed to enroll * Inadequate renal function as determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (based on the MDRD equation) * Participant is at increased risk of falls
Where it's running
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University of California San Francisco, Sandler Neuroscience Building
San Francisco, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lorenzo Pasquini, PhD — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Gabriella Mace
- Email: agingandpsychedelics@ucsf.edu
- Phone: 415-707-5399
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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.