Psilocybin in the Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder: A-Proof-of-Concept Study (PSI_CUD)

March 17, 2025 updated by: McMaster University

An 8-week Phase 2 Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Psilocybin-assisted-psychotherapy in Adults With Cannabis Use Disorder: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Cannabis is the most commonly used psychoactive substance in Canada (Lowry & Corsi, 2020). A sub-group of cannabis users develop a condition known as Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), which is defined as a regular pattern of cannabis use that causes performance difficulty at work, school and relationships (Hasin et al., 2013). A review of current treatments available for CUD indicate the lack of a pharmacological and psychological treatment with high success rates, which highlights the importance of exploring potential psychosocial interventions for the treatment of CUD. Given the evidence of psilocybin's therapeutic potential in the treatment of substance use disorders (de Veen et al., 2017), we aim to conduct a study using psilocybin-assisted-psychotherapy in the treatment of CUD. The study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, tolerability and potential therapeutic effect of 2 doses [25 mg] of psilocybin administered as part of an 8-week Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and supportive therapy. This trial will be the first to evaluate the potential treatment effects of psilocybin on symptoms of CUD.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
16

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Ontario
      • Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 1B8
        • Recruiting
        • MacAnxiety Research Centre
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Signed Informed Consent Form.
  2. Able to show documentation of identity.
  3. Fluent in speaking and reading English and able to complete rating scales and assessments.
  4. Between the ages of 18 to 65.
  5. At Screening, meet criteria for CUD diagnosis of at least moderate severity as per the MINI Plus
  6. Expressed a wish to reduce or stop cannabis use.
  7. Medically healthy based on physician review of CBC, electrolytes, liver function test, kidney function tests and ECG.
  8. Has a stable residence for the duration of the study.
  9. Agree to comply with the protocol requirements set out by the study.
  10. Consent to providing regular check-ins and follow-up regarding any medical conditions, procedures and adverse events.
  11. If of child-bearing potential, female participants must agree to use an adequate birth control method (IUD, injected or implanted hormonal methods, abstinence, vasectomy of the partner/partners, or double barrier contraception i.e. condoms plus diaphragm, or diaphragm plus spermicide) for the duration of the study. Male participants should agree to using condoms with spermicide throughout the trial in addition to the use of an adequate contraceptive by their partner of childbearing potential.
  12. Following discharge from the dosing sessions, agree to have another individual accompany them home from the study site and stay with them overnight.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Meet DSM-5 criteria for lifetime history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders, personality disorders, delirium, dementia and amnesic and other cognitive disorders, or are in a current agitated state.
  2. Have first-degree biological relatives (parents or full siblings) with past or present history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and any other psychosis.
  3. Meet DSM-5 criteria for panic disorder or seizure disorders.
  4. Meet DSM-5 criteria for dependence of any substance other than cannabis or tobacco in the past 6 months.
  5. Positive urine drug screen for substances tested with the exception of cannabis
  6. History of serotonergic psychedelic use in the past year and over 5 times of lifetime use (psilocybin, LSD, Ayahuasca, mescaline, DMT).
  7. Current treatment with psychotropic agents including stimulants, anti-psychotic agents, benzodiazepines and tri-cyclic anti-depressants. Concurrent treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin Noradrenalin Reuptake Inhibitors will be allowed, provided the dose has been stable for 4 weeks and remains stable during the study.
  8. History of cardiovascular diseases or uncontrolled hypertension that is not successfully treated or any other medical condition that might pose a risk to the participant in the opinion of the study physician.
  9. Are receiving concurrent psychotherapy for CUD.
  10. Are reasonably judged to present a serious suicide risk as determined by Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale or expressed homicide risk, who have enacted suicidal behaviors within 6 months prior to intake, or w ho are likely to require psychiatric hospitalization during the study.
  11. Participants of childbearing potential with a positive pregnancy test at screening or prior to dosing sessions, or are pregnant, breast feeding, and who are not using an acceptable means of birth control for the duration of the study.
  12. Are unable to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of the study and give informed consent.
  13. Are currently or planning on participating in other interventional clinical trials during this study.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Single Arm
This is an open-label single arm intervention trial. Participants in this arm will be offered both drug and psychotherapy as part of their 9-week intervention.
Drug: Psilocybin combined with Psychotherapy
The intervention consists of a 9-week treatment protocol that is based on supportive psychotherapy and Motivational Enhancement Therapy. Overall, the therapy course includes 8 motivational enhancement therapy sessions and two experimental drug sessions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of spontaneously reported adverse events and serious adverse events from baseline to the nine-week endpoint
Time Frame: 9 weeks
frequency, type and severity of outcomes are recorded
9 weeks
Percent of recruited participants who discontinue or are lost to follow up before completing the 9-ween treatment protocol
Time Frame: 9 weeks
frequency of cases of withdrawal and lost to follow up are documented and a percent is calculated based on the total number of participants recruited in this study.
9 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Feasibility measured by number of individuals who express interest by contacting the study team, percent of individuals who are screened as eligible to those who contact the study, percent of those who complete the trial to those who are enrolled
Time Frame: 9 weeks
Reported in frequency and percentages
9 weeks
Efficacy a: frequency and amount of cannabis use, as measured by the Timeline Follow Back from baseline to the nine-week end point
Time Frame: 9 weeks
This is measured using the Timeline Follow Back tool
9 weeks
Efficacy b: Severity of symptoms associated with Cannabis Use Disorder as measured by Self-Reported Symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder from baseline to 9 week endpoint
Time Frame: 9 weeks
Self-Reported Symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder
9 weeks
Efficacy c: Changes in Urinary Cannabinoids from baseline to the nine-week endpoint
Time Frame: 9 weeks
Urinary Cannabinoid Test
9 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
severity of symptoms of craving, withdrawal, anxiety, depression and functional impairment
Time Frame: 9 weeks
Measured using Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist, Marijuana Craving Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire - 9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Sheehan Disability Scale
9 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
McMaster University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research
Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research (PBCAR)

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
January 4, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 17, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 25, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 17, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
November 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • PSI_CUD

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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Conditions

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