DRUG
Psilocybin
10mg Psilocybin
Status
Completed
Phase
Phase 1
Enrollment
18
Locations
1
Results
Not posted
Publications
1
Study summary
In seeking to understand the capacity for psilocybin to reduce migraine headache burden, this study will investigate single and repeated dosing of psilocybin up to two doses. In seeking to identify an underlying mechanism in psilocybin's effects, neuroinflammatory markers for migraine headache will be measured.
Migraine headache is a common medical condition and a top cause of disability worldwide. Treatment options for migraine headache are many and varied, though an approximated 10% of migraineurs is refractory to medication and thus, there is a need to develop alternative treatments. There is anecdotal evidence supporting lasting therapeutic effects after limited dosing of psilocybin and related compounds in headache disorders. The cause of this unique effect remains unknown, though the drug class has demonstrable anti-inflammatory activity, a biological process relevant to migraine and other headache disorders. In seeking to understand the capacity for psilocybin to reduce migraine headache burden, this study will investigate single and repeated dosing of psilocybin up to two doses. In seeking to identify an underlying mechanism in psilocybin's effects, neuroinflammatory markers for migraine headache will be measured. The results from this study will serve in the development of larger investigations seeking to understand the effects of psilocybin and related compounds in headache disorders.
Interventions
DRUG
10mg Psilocybin
DRUG
25mg Diphenhydramine
Timeline
First posted
Jan 6, 2020
Study start
Aug 10, 2021
Primary completion
Nov 5, 2023
Study completion
Nov 5, 2023
Results posted
Not reported
Registry updated
Feb 9, 2024
Outcomes
Change in migraine attack frequency
Time frame · From two weeks before the first session to two months after second session using a headache diary
Average number (number per week)
Change in pain intensity of migraine attacks
Time frame · From two weeks before the first session to two months after second session using a headache diary
Average pain intensity (4-tiered pain score; 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe)
Change in duration of migraine attacks
Time frame · From two weeks before the first session to two months after second session using a headache diary
Average duration (measured in hours)
Change in intensity of photophobia (light sensitivity)
Time frame · From two weeks before the first session to two months after second session using a headache diary
Average intensity (4-tiered pain score; 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe)
Change in intensity of phonophobia (noise sensitivity)
Time frame · From two weeks before the first session to two months after second session using a headache diary
Average intensity (4-tiered pain score; 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe)
Average intensity of nausea/vomiting
Time frame · From two weeks before the first session to two months after second session using a headache diary
Average intensity (4-tiered pain score; 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe)
Change in functional disability
Time frame · From two weeks before the first session to two months after second session using a headache diary
Average disability (4-tiered pain score; 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe)
Use of abortive/rescue medication
Time frame · From two weeks before the first session to two months after second session using a headache diary
number of times per week
Time to first migraine attack
Time frame · From the second session until two months after second session using a headache diary
Measured in days
Migraine attack-free time
Time frame · From two weeks before the first session to two months after second session using a headache diary
Number of 24-hour days (may be non-consecutive)
Quality of life using the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Health-Related Quality of Life Scale: Healthy Days Symptoms Module
Time frame · From two weeks before the first session to two months after second session using a headache diary
4 questions scored 0 to 30 each; higher numbers indicate worse quality of life. (1) pain-related impairment, (2) mood symptoms, (3) anxiety symptoms, (4) lack of sleep. Percent change for each measure as well as total score (range 0 to 120) will be calculated
Psychedelic effects using the 5-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness (5D-ASC) scale
Time frame · Starting on the first test day until the second test day approximately one week later; taken both test days approximately 6 hours after drug administration
94 questions scored 0 to 100 each; higher numbers indicate greater psychedelic effects. Questions address 5 dimensions: (1) Oceanic Boundlessness (score range 0-2700), (2) Dread of Ego Dissolution (score range 0-2100), (3) Visionary Restructuralization (score range 0-1800), (4) Auditory Alterations (score range 0-1600), and (5) Vigilance Reduction (score range 0-1200). Score for each dimension as well as total score (range 0 to 9400) will be measured.
Change in blood pressure- Systolic
Time frame · Starting on the first test day until the second test day approximately one week later; measured both test sessions before drug administration, every 30 min in the first hour, then hourly for 4 hours or until resolution of drug effects (~6hrs after drug)
Maximum change from baseline during each test day (mm Hg)
Change in blood pressure- Diastolic
Time frame · Starting on the first test day until the second test day approximately one week later; measured both test sessions before drug administration, every 30 min in the first hour, then hourly for 4 hours or until resolution of drug effects (~6hrs after drug)
Maximum change from baseline during each test day (mm Hg)
Change in heart rate
Time frame · Starting on the first test day until the second test day approximately one week later; measured both test sessions before drug administration, every 30 min in the first hour, then hourly for 4 hours or until resolution of drug effects (~6hrs after drug)
Maximum change from baseline during each test day (beats per minute)
Change in peripheral oxygenation
Time frame · Starting on the first test day until the second test day approximately one week later; measured both test sessions before drug administration, every 30 min in the first hour, then hourly for 4 hours or until resolution of drug effects (~6hrs after drug)
Maximum change from baseline during each test day (SpO2)
Change in peripheral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels
Time frame · Approximately 3 months; measured at screening, on both test days (0, 2, and 4 hours after drug administration), and follow-up (~2 months after second test day)
Change in peripheral neuropeptide levels
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of migraine headache per ICHD-3 criteria * Typical pattern of migraine attacks with approximately two migraines or more weekly * Attacks are managed by means involving no more than twice weekly triptan use Exclusion Criteria: * Axis I psychotic or manic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar I, depression with psychosis) * Axis I psychotic or manic disorder in first degree relative * Unstable medical condition; severe renal, cardiac, or hepatic disease; pacemaker; or serious central nervous system pathology * Pregnant, breastfeeding, lack of adequate birth control * History of intolerance to psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or related compounds * Drug abuse within the past 3 months (excluding tobacco) * Urine toxicology positive to drugs of abuse * Alcohol use of \>21 drinks per week (males); \>14 drinks per week (females; NIAAA guidelines) * Use of alcohol in the week prior to the first test day * Use of vasoconstrictive medications (i.e., sumatriptan, pseudoephedrine, midodrine) within 5 half-lives of test days * Use of serotonergic antiemetics (i.e., ondansetron) in the past 2 weeks * Use of antidepressant medication (i.e., TCA, MAOI, SSRI) in the past 6 weeks * Use of steroids or certain other immunomodulatory agents (i.e., azathioprine) in the past 2 weeks * Use of migraine onabotulinum toxin (i.e., Botox) or monoclonal antibodies against CGRP or its receptor (i.e., erenumab) in the past month or while therapeutic effects are still present
Study locations
United States. Showing up to 24 locations stored in the fast local snapshot.
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Publications
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