Mood and Cognitive Effects of Low Doses of Psilocybin Observed in Healthy Subjects ("MELO"): A Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Finding Study
Mood and Cognitive Effects of Low Doses of Psilocybin Observed in Healthy Subjects ("MELO"): A Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Finding Study
This study is seeking to find the optimal microdose or low dose of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) that provides general enhancements to mood, memory, sleep, and other measures of general well-being without any hallucinogenic effects.
Psilocybin is a natural psychoactive alkaloid component of more than 200 species of naturally growing mushrooms that can be found throughout the world. Psilocybin use as a ceremonious ritual has been well documented in ancient Aztec and Mesoamerican history. Psilocybin was chemically isolated and synthesized in the 1950s by American scientists, who found that mushroom varieties offered varying ranges of natural psilocybin (from 0.2-1% of dry weight). The psychological benefits of psilocybin are well-documented, as are the safety profile, low toxicity, and significant lack of abuse or overdose potential in comparison to other scheduled and non-scheduled drug, including alcohol. Many clinical studies demonstrate the benefit of psilocybin on feelings of depression, mood, and overall feelings of well-being, particularly at higher doses greater than 25mg. At these doses, hallucinations and psychedelic effects also occur. A growing body of evidence suggests that extremely low doses, or microdoses, may offer similar psychological benefits to individuals without any hallucinogenic effect that may impair daily function. The purpose of this study is to examine an optimal small/microdose of psilocybin, taken orally, that may provide such benefits.
Optimi,is committed to providing MELOCIN, an oral, pharmaceutical grade, but naturally derived, mushroom powder (Psilocybe cubensis), containing a specific dose of psilocybin and a controlled range of other natural compounds and excipients within the formulation. Clinical studies will inform the desired low to very low psilocybin dosing range for specific indications which do not elicit any psychedelic effects but are correlated to specific mood and cognition-related enhancements or improvements in otherwise healthy individuals.
Primary objective: To assess the safety and tolerability of varying low doses and microdoses of Optimi psilocybin-containing mushroom powder in healthy humans.
Secondary objective: To assess the magnitude of effects of varying low doses and microdoses of Optimi psilocybin-containing mushroom powder on general mood, physiological responses, cognitive performance, focus, and feelings of anxiety.
Methodology: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial examining effects of six oral doses of MELOCIN, a psilocybin-containing Psilocybe cubensis mushroom powder, with 0 (placebo), 1, 2, 5, 8 and 10mg of psilocybin, administered on six separate test days in a randomized fashion. Participants will be randomized to the order that doses are administered. Study days will be scheduled 6-9 days apart to avoid any carry-over effects of a previous dose. Each study day will require ingestion of 10 capsules, which will be a combination of placebo and Psilocybe cubensis powder containing the prescribed daily dose. On the placebo study day, participants will digest 9 placebo capsules and one Chaga mushroom (non-active, non-hallucinogenic) capsule such that the mushroom after-taste commonly present with hallucinogenic magic mushrooms is mimicked and still present to preserve the blinding of the study dosing regimen.
Participants will be scheduled for 7 total weekly visits (6 dosing days, 1 follow up/close out visit) at the study clinic, each estimated to be 8-9 hours in duration. At each weekly study visit, participants will be continuously monitored and asked to complete cognitive, mood, and other psychological questionnaires and provide minimal blood work at 80-105 mins, 2.5 hrs, 5 hrs, and 7.5hrs post-drug administration in order to monitor the physiological and psychological effects of the dose provided that day. At the follow-up visit, final questionnaires will be completed and qualitative feedback on the experience will be collected
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