Psilocybin-assisted Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

NCT ID: NCT06885996

Last Updated: 2026-01-06

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

76 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-08-01

Study Completion Date

2029-08-01

Brief Summary

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The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy of psilocybin administered with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as an intervention to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom burden in adult (aged 18-65) survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV).

This trail will test the following 2 aims:

AIM 1 : To compare the efficacy of a therapeutic psilocybin dose at improving outcomes on the PCL-5 and CAPS-5 as compared to an active control psilocybin dose in IPV survivors with chronic PTSD.

AIM 2: To evaluate the efficacy of psilocybin on quality of life, cognitive function, motor ability, depression, anxiety, and cognitive flexibility.

Participants will be asked to:

* Complete a 2 part screening process
* Attend a baseline assessment
* Complete a psychoeducation preparation session(s)
* Attend psilocybin administration session (receive high dose \[25mg\] or low dose psilocybin \[1mg\])
* Complete 5-6 weekly sessions of ACT
* Repeat outcome measures at 1-week, 4 weeks, 3 months (online questionnaires only), and 6 months post-psilocybin administration.

Detailed Description

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The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of psilocybin administered with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as an intervention to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom burden in survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV).

This trail will test the following 2 aims:

AIM 1 : To compare the efficacy of a therapeutic psilocybin dose (25mg) at improving outcomes on the PCL-5 and CAPS-5 as compared to an active control psilocybin dose (1mg) (allocation ratio 1:1) in IPV survivors with chronic PTSD. Mean baseline scores will be compared to scores at each follow-up timepoint (1-week, 4 weeks, 3 months (PCL-5 only), and 6 months post-psilocybin administration).

AIM 2: to evaluate the efficacy of psilocybin on quality of life, cognitive function, motor ability, depression, anxiety, and cognitive flexibility. Mean baseline scores will be compared to scores at each follow-up timepoint (1-week, 4 weeks, 3 months (online only), and 6 months post-psilocybin administration).

The secondary efficacy outcomes will include measures of mood, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and quality of life.

Exploratory Aim: Exploratory objectives of this study include evaluating blood biomarkers reflective of inflammation, growth factors, brain injury, and oxidative stress relevant to PTSD and psilocybin's mechanisms of action.

A total of 76 male and female patients between the ages of 18-65 with the last incident of IPV greater than 6 months prior with a score of 1 on the Composite Abuse Scale with repetition of abusive events, meeting DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and a minimum PCL-5 score of 33.

All patients will undergo a thorough, 2-part screening procedure. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated 1:1 to either the high dose (38 participants) or low dose (38 participants) psilocybin groups. All participants will be asked to attend a baseline session consisting of clinical and behavioural outcome measures followed by a pre-dosing psychoeducation session. Following the single dosing session, participants will complete 5-6 weekly ACT sessions. Outcome measure assessments will be repeated at 1-week, 4 weeks, 3 months (online only), and 6 months post-dosing.

Conditions

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors
The group assignments to active (high dose) and control (low dose) psilocybin-assisted therapy will be based on a blocked randomization list (10 participants per block) using sealed envelopes created by an employee of the University of Calgary, who will not be involved in the conduct, or the analysis of the study.

The pharmacies administering the psilocybin will be responsible for maintaining the master randomization code list and only the technician preparing the samples will have access to the envelopes and code list.

When a new study ID is generated, the technician is to verify the randomization and prepare the participant's study intervention accordingly. Unblinding will only occur once the entire study is completed, and the database has been locked.

The trials active intervention and comparator will be provided by the manufactures and will be identical in shape, colour, and weight.

Study Groups

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High Dose

High Dose (25mg) PEX010 (Oral Psilocybin), 25mg; single dose (38 participants) administered 24hrs prior to first ACT session

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

No interventions assigned to this group

Low Dose

Low Dose (1mg) PEX010 (Oral Psilocybin), 1mg; single dose (20 participants) administered 24hrs prior to first ACT session

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Psilocybin

Intervention Type DRUG

See treatment arm description.

Interventions

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Psilocybin

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Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Individuals of all sexes, gender identities, and ethnicities
* Ages 19 to 65 years at the time of screening
* At least 6 months since last IPV incident
* A score of 1 on the Composite Abuse Scale with repetition of abusive events
* Minimum PCL-5 score of ≥ 33
* Limited lifetime use of serotonergic hallucinogens
* Ability to read/write English

Exclusion Criteria

* Severe or moderate substance use disorder other than nicotine in past 6 months
* Lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorders (or first or second-degree relative)
* Active suicidal ideation or serious attempt within the past 1 year.
* Current pregnancy or nursing, trying to become pregnant
* Any notable abnormality on ECG or routine medical blood laboratory test
* Insulin-dependent diabetes; if taking oral hypoglycemic agent, then no history of hypoglycemia
* Epilepsy with a history of seizures
* Current or recent (within 12 weeks) participation in a clinical trial
* Cognitive impairment (SLUMS score \<20)
* Suffered a moderate/severe TBI at least once in lifetime
* Suffered a mild TBI within the last 6 months
* Any other circumstances that, in the opinion of the investigators, compromises participant safety
* Not compelled to enter treatment to avoid legal consequences
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Vancouver Island University

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of British Columbia

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Calgary

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Sandy Shultz, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Director, Centre for Trauma and Mental Health Research, Vancouver Island University

Leah Mayo, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Parker Psychedelics Research Chair and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine

Pamela Kryskow, MD, CCFP

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Medical Lead, Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Graduate Program, Vancouver Island University, Medical Director, Roots to Thrive Society

Zachary Walsh, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Professor, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia

Paul van Donkelaar, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Professor, Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences

Shannon Dammes, RN, MPH

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Professor, Health Sciences, Vancouver Island University, and Visioning and Development Lead, Roots to Thrive Society

Jodie Gawryluk, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Victoria

Locations

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University of Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Site Status

The University of British Columbia - Okanagan Campus

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Site Status

Vancouver Island University

Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

Site Status

Countries

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Canada

Central Contacts

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Chantel T Debert, MD MSc FRCPC

Role: CONTACT

403) 944-4500

Christina Campbell, MSc

Role: CONTACT

403-944-8649

Facility Contacts

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Chantel T Debert

Role: primary

(403) 944-4500

Christina Campbell

Role: backup

403-944-8649

Zachary Walsh

Role: primary

Sandy Shultz

Role: primary

Joshua Allen

Role: backup

Other Identifiers

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REB25-0065

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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