Chances are you have probably heard of the new psilocybin trials by now and are probably curious as to what the psilocybin research trials are and how you might be able to participate in these psychedelic trials. This article will not only explain what psilocybin is and how it is meant to help with different conditions but also where you can find clinical trials near you.
Of course these are only my opinions and you should follow your healthcare provider’s advice when it comes to trialing anything new. Every clinical study has its pros and cons and you have to consider lots of things before you consider joining.
What is Psilocybin?
According to WebMD.com, “Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms, often in the Psilocybe genus. It’s used in spiritual rituals, recreationally, and as medicine.”
Psilocybin has hallucinogenic effects. It can be obtained from both fresh and dried mushrooms in varying concentrations. It can also be created in a lab. There’s increased interest in using pure psilocybin for addictions, depression, and other mental and psychological disorders due to its potential to stimulate certain areas of the brain.
People use psilocybin for alcohol use disorder and other addictions, anxiety, depression, migraines, PTSD, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Psilocybin is illegal under federal law in the US. It is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance.”
That means it is not recommended that this substance is consumed outside of it being used for medicinal reasons by a healthcare provider. Clinical trials are still ongoing as it has shown to help with different conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, alcohol dependence and smoking cessation.
Why might you want to join clinical trials for psilocybin?
There are many motivating factors for participating in clinical research.
One of the reasons why you might be considering psilocybin clinical trials are due to the monetary compensation. Clinical trials will pay you for your time and participation. As this does involve taking time out of your day to go into the clinic and it can come with other unknowns along the way as they are still in the trial phase.
Another main motivator might be that you will receive free experimental treatment. Perhaps you have tried every prescribable medication and you’d like to trial something new in hopes that this will work. For many people, finding the right medication is very difficult and this can be frustrating when nothing seems to help. Even though the trial will end and it is unlikely you will be able to receive the treatment afterwards, it can provide you with experimental treatment for the duration of the trial.
You might also consider joining a clinical trial because you want to contribute to science and help in advancing medicine. This is my favorite motivating factor because you can help to bring better treatment options to market for people that need them. Thanks to participants, patients are being prescribed better medications and treatments as they are approved by the FDA after clinical trials.
What to consider before participating in clinical research for psilocybin?
As with any other clinical trial, there can be risks involved as these treatments are in the trial phase. The decision to participate in clinical research should not be taken lightly and you should think carefully about the pros and cons of the clinical trial.
You need to consider your current health status and your doctor’s advice so that you have a better understanding on whether or not you should participate. Safety comes first in clinical trials and making sure you have a good grasp on your health beforehand will be highly advantageous.
You also have to consider that it takes time to participate in clinical trials for psilocybin. You will have to attend clinic visits to take the medication as well as other tests and assessments. If you have a flexible job or can take time off to participate in these visits this will come in handy. However, if you work a job Monday through Friday it can be difficult to schedule your study visits around your work week.
What does it mean to participate in a clinical trial for psilocybin?
Clinical trials are meant to test new medications, treatments and devices before they are available in the market. There are clinical trials available for many different medical conditions and of course many different new medications.
Every research trial will be different but for the most part you will have to qualify to participate. This means that you will go to the clinic or university where the study is being conducted in order to screen for it. During this visit the staff will have you read the informed consent which outlines all of the information you should know about the study.
Once you have read the consent, and all of your questions have been answered you will be able to proceed with screening. Depending on the clinical trial, the screening visit will involve different questions and procedures. For a depression trial these might be questionnaires as well as other health assessments such as a physical exam and sometimes blood work. There might also be different questions on your medical history, allergies and any past procedures as everything is relevant to trialing a new medication.
After the screening visit is complete and all of the results are back, the doctor and study staff will make a determination as to whether you should proceed into the study. If this is the case you will schedule appointments to come back and check in with the study team throughout the duration of the trial.
As psilocybin is a controlled substance you might have to take the medication in the clinic. And for precautions, the participant might have to stay and be observed for hours after they have been dosed with the psilocybin.
Your participation may go on for months and you will be expected to comply with the protocol as some of the studies have lifestyle restrictions. For example, there are different trials that might prohibit your consumption of certain foods that might affect the way the new medication is broken down.
Once the study is complete there will be other procedures that are done in order to evaluate if there was any difference after taking the medication for the protocol determined period of time. At this point you will be all done with the clinical trial!
How to find Psilocybin clinical trials near me?
If you are interested in joining a psilocybin clinical trial, the best place to search is Clinicaltrials.gov. Here you can filter for different medical conditions and find a clinical trial for psilocybin that is enrolling nearby. I have created another article outlining four different ways to find clinical trials. However clinicaltrials.gov is the best way as it will provide you lots of information on the psilocybin clinical trial you are interested in. It will outline the locations of the different clinical sites as well as the requirements to participate in the study
And of course if you enjoyed this article and would like more information on clinical trials in general. Be sure to stay and explore theclinresearsher.com!
To wrap it all up
If you are curious about psilocybin clinical trials and might even consider participating, there are a few things to consider and understand. Clinical trials are where experimental medications are provided to participants in order to test their safety and efficacy. These clinical research trials are important in obtaining FDA approval and therefore advancing medical treatments.
You should always consult with your healthcare provider to make sure your current health is adequate to participate in psilocybin trials. You should also ask yourself if your main motivator is the compensation, the free experimental treatment or the altruistic reason of helping advance medicine.
Overall participating in clinical research can be very rewarding but it is not a decision that should be taken lightly.
I hope you have enjoyed this article and that it has helped you in your search for psilocybin clinical trials.