The Univ. of Southern California (USC) has received an award of up to $4 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to research psychedelic therapy and mindfulness training for depression. With 80 participants, researchers will examine the results of psilocybin treatment with and without eight weeks of mindfulness training to see if the two work well together and are more impactful when paired.
Psilocybin is the psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms.” It can be used to treat depression and substance use disorder. Since 2019, the FDA has allowed psilocybin-based treatment for major depressive disorder.
Other studies found that meditation can improve a person’s reaction to psychedelics. This new study will look at whether structured mindfulness and meditation can boost and prolong the benefits of psilocybin.
“Psychedelics appear to ignite something in the brain and behavior that allows people to adopt new perspectives. But after this ignition, they need tools to help maintain that mindset of self-exploration and discovery,” said USC’s Dr. Assal Habibi, one of the project’s principal investigators.
The researchers are already using the structured mindfulness and meditation training along with psilocybin in 24 people without mental health issues. Those test subjects called it a meaningful experience even months later. Now the researchers are looking at whether the system can benefit people with depression.
The interesting thing about this study is that there won’t be a control group. With 80 participants, 40 will take psilocybin therapy, and 40 will take psilocybin therapy and receive the mindfulness training. They will play music while people are taking the psilocybin therapy. Later, they will play the same music while giving people MRI scans to see if the music triggers the therapeutic effects again. There’s no traditional psychotherapy, as it would be comparing apples to oranges.
“During the psilocybin sessions, we move away from the standard approach to psychotherapy, which tends to be more structured and guided,” said Dr. Rael Cahn, who is directing the research. “Instead, the therapist serves more as a supportive and attuned presence than an active intervener.”
It’s important to note that psilocybin is currently listed as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The FDA granted it a “breakthrough therapy” designation for treating major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. It can be used in medical studies like this one. But it’s still an illegal drug in the same class as heroin or ecstasy. If you get given it under the treatment of a doctor, that’s fine, but you can’t just buy it. Research like this could change how it’s treated in medical settings, but not as a street drug.
“Psilocybin-assisted therapy has the potential to revolutionize how we approach mental health research,” said USC’s Caryn Lerman. “There is growing evidence that these treatments may have important applications not only for addiction, but also for improving quality of life and emotional well-being for people facing serious illness and end-of-life challenges. This study allows us to rigorously explore that potential while contributing valuable data to a national research effort.”
