Microdosing Psychedelics to Improve Mood

This protocol is for a University of Toronto - sponsored, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover phase 2 study of the safety and efficacy of low doses of psilocybin in subjects with depressive symptoms who meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) criteria for diagnosis of a major depressive disorder (MDD) and who are either unwilling to pursue standard treatment (psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy) or have previously been non-responsive to standard treatment. This feasibility study will assess whether microdosing has a short-term impact on participant ratings of depressive symptoms. Participants will be administered one dose of either placebo or psilocybin once weekly for four weeks, and then all participants will be administered a dose of psilocybin once weekly for four additional weeks. Short surveys will be collected once weekly three days after the administration of psilocybin/placebo, and follow-ups will occur for up to two years following the beginning of the trial. Using this design will maximize the experimental power to detect an effect if one exists and would inform future research on microdosing in terms of duration, effect size, and expectancy bias.

Inclusion criteria

Participants must:

• Have given written informed consent.
• Have a high school level of education.
• Be fluent in speaking and reading the study site's predominantly used or recognized language (i.e., English).
• Be 18 to 65 years old.
• If of childbearing potential, must have a negative pregnancy test at study entry and must agree to use adequate birth control 10 days after the last Experimental Session (refer to section 9.4.2 for contraceptive guidelines).
• Have a preexisting diagnosis of MDD with dysthymic subtype or receive a diagnosis of MDD during screening.
• Agree that for one week preceding each psilocybin session, they will refrain from taking any nonprescription medication, nutritional supplements, or herbal supplement except when approved by the research team. Exceptions will be evaluated by the research team and will include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and common doses of vitamins and minerals with the exception of SAM-e, 5-HTP, L-tryptophan, and St. John's Wort.
• Agree to consume approximately the same amount of caffeine-containing beverage (i.e. coffee, tea) that they consume on a usual morning, before arriving at the research unit on the mornings of psilocybin session days. Caffeine consumption should not exceed more than ≥600mg/day. If the patient does not routinely consume caffeinated beverages, they must agree not to do so on psilocybin session days.
• Agree not to take any as needed (PRN) medications on the mornings of psilocybin sessions. Non-routine PRN medications for treating breakthrough pain that were taken in the 24 hours before the psilocybin session may result in rescheduling the treatment session, with the decision at the discretion of the investigators.
• Agree to refrain from using any psychoactive drugs, including alcoholic beverages, within 24 hours of each psilocybin administration. As described elsewhere, exceptions include daily use of caffeine.

Exclusion criteria

• The subject has participated in another investigational study within 60 days prior to the screening visit.
• Cardiovascular conditions: coronary artery disease, uncontrolled hypertension, angina, a clinically significant ECG abnormality (i.e. atrial fibrillation), TIA in the last 6 months, stroke, peripheral or pulmonary vascular disease (no active claudication).
• Blood pressure exceeding screening criteria described below:

○ Cardiovascular screening:

• At the screening and randomization visit, blood pressure will be assessed to qualify to proceed in the trial. Each assessment occasion will involve two or more blood pressure readings. To qualify for the study, the mean blood pressure (mmHg) of the two readings will not exceed 140 systolic and 90 diastolic.
• Blood pressure (BP) will be taken while subjects are at rest and have been seated or supine for at least 5 minutes. The assessment will involve the average of 2 or more readings separated by fifteen minutes. If the first 2 readings differ by more than 5 mmHg, additional readings will be obtained and averaged. During the BP assessment, the volunteer will be acclimated to the automated blood pressure monitoring equipment by repeatedly taking blood pressure (at least 3 readings) with the device.
• Epilepsy with a history of seizures.
• The subject has a history of cerebral ischemia, transient ischemic attack, intracranial aneurysm, or arteriovenous malformation.
• The subject has a clinically significant history of head injury or head trauma per the judgement of the investigator.
• The subject has a history of cancer.
• Unstable medical condition, severe renal disease (creatinine clearance < 40 ml/min using the Cockcroft and Gault equation), hepatic disease (known history of liver disease, abnormal elevations in LFTs), or serious central nervous system pathology.
• Insulin-dependent diabetes; if taking oral hypoglycemic agent, then no history of hypoglycemia.
• Are pregnant (positive urine pregnancy test assessed at screening) or nursing, or are of childbearing potential and are not practicing an effective means of birth control (refer to section 9.4.2 for contraceptive guidelines).
• Currently taking on a regular (i.e. daily) basis any psychotropic medications including: investigational agents, psychoactive prescription medications (i.e. benzodiazepines), antidepressants, medications having a primary pharmacological effect on serotonin neurons (i.e. ondansetron), medications that are MAO inhibitors, opioid medications. If previously on antidepressants a minimum of five half lives must have passed from the last dose of medication plus an additional seven days of stabilization before first administration of the drug.
• Current use of any the following of potent metabolic inducers or inhibitors: Inducers - Rifamycin (rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine), anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenytoin, Phenobarbital), Nevirapine, Efavirenz, Taxol, Dexamethasone), St John's Wort; All cytochrome P450 Inhibitors - including all HIV protease inhibitors, verapamil, diltiazem, itraconazole, ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, and troleandomycin.
• Use of steroids within the past two weeks.
• Current use of the following drugs will also meet exclusion criteria: ergot alkaloids, pimozide, midazolam, triazolam, lovastatin, simvastatin, fentanyl.
• Agree to refrain from using any psychoactive drugs, including alcoholic beverages within 24 hours of each drug administration. The exception is caffeine.
• Must not be a habitual smoker.
• Refrain from starting any new medications.
• Refrain from starting any new complementary or alternative medicine practices (i.e. nutrition/diet modifications, supplements, meditation practice, etc.).
• Are willing to comply with medication requirements per the protocol (refer to Section 6.2).
• Lifestyle Criteria; Refrain from working night shifts.

Psychiatric Exclusion Criteria:

• Current or past history of meeting DSM-V criteria for Schizophrenia, Psychotic Disorder, or Bipolar I or II Disorder.
• Active Major Depressive Disorder Episode.
• Having a first or second-degree relative with schizophrenia, psychotic disorder (unless substance-induced or due to a medical condition), or bipolar I or II disorder.
• Currently meets DSM-V criteria for Dissociative Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or other psychiatric conditions judged to be incompatible with the establishment of rapport or safe exposure to psilocybin.
• Current or past history within the last 5 years of meeting DSM-V criteria for a moderate or severe alcohol or drug use disorder (excluding caffeine and nicotine).
• Use within 6 months of psychedelic substances.