Psilocybin: Each participant will receive 2 different doses of psilocybin (5mg and 10mg) and a matching placebo on three separate occasions.
Hypnosis script: All participants will receive a brief hypnotic induction aimed at producing analgesia before the second administration of CPT
Study summary
Rationale: Recent evidence shows that Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), even when administered in low, non-hallucinogenic doses, can produce analgesic effects and improve pain tolerance in a sample of healthy volunteers. Such results complement what was already observed with other serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin: survey studies and case series indicate that its use may lead to improvements in chronic pain conditions such as migraines, cluster headaches and phantom limb pain even at low, non-psychedelic doses. These effects have however not yet been investigated and confirmed in clinical populations under controlled experimental conditions.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterised by widespread pain, hyperalgesia, anxiety, disturbed sleep patterns, impaired cognitive functioning and comorbid mood disorders. Most suggested therapies are only associated with small improvements in pain ratings and quality of life. Currently, there is no data concerning the effectiveness of serotonergic psychedelics in improving pain ratings in fibromyalgia patients.
Objective: The present study will explore the effects that the administration of a placebo and 2 low psilocybin doses (5 mg or 10 mg) will have on pain perception in a group of fibromyalgia patients.
Study design: The present study uses a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design. All participants will receive a placebo and 2 doses of psilocybin (5 mg or 10 mg) and will undergo the Cold Pressor Test (CPT) and the Pain Pressure Threshold Task (PPT) o test its analgesic effects.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 18 and 65 years
* Normal weight, body mass index (weight/height2) between 18 and 28 kg/m2
* Fulfilment of the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM diagnosis (43)
* A minimum Numeric Rating Scale (numeric rating scale) pain score of 5 out of 10
* Proficient knowledge of the Dutch or English language
* Written Informed Consent
* Understanding the procedures and the risks associated with the study
* No regular use of psychotropic medication such as opiates, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, sleep aids, benzodiazepines. Non pharmacological regimens will be allowed along 1 rescue therapy such as acetaminophen ≤4,000 mg/day, ibuprofen ≤1,200 mg/day, naproxen ≤660 mg/day, or ketoprofen ≤75 mg/day. Use of paracetamol (PCM) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) will be allowed and monitored.
* Willingness to refrain from taking psychoactive substances during the study.
* Willingness to drink only alcohol-free liquids and no coffee, black or green tea, or energy drinks after midnight of the evening before the study session, as well as during the study days
* Willingness not to drive a traffic vehicle or to operate machines within 24 h after substance administration
Exclusion Criteria:
* Presence of any other painful condition such as inflammatory rheumatic diseases, migraines or headaches and of other chronic or acute medical conditions
* Presence or history of any other psychiatric condition such as primary major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders or substance use disorder as determined by the medical questionnaire, drug questionnaire and medical examination
* Previous experience of serious side effects to psychedelic drugs (anxiety or panic attacks)
* Tobacco smoking (\>20 per day)
* Excessive drinking (\>20 alcoholic consumptions per week)
* Psychotic disorder in first-degree relatives
* Pregnancy or lactation
* Hypertension (diastolic \> 90 mmHg; systolic \> 140 mmHg)
* History of cardiac dysfunctions (arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease…)
* For women: no use of a reliable contraceptive
Primary outcome measure(s)
Ischemic Pain perception — 1.5, 2.5 and 4 hours after administration Pain tolerance (seconds) in the Cold Pressor Task
Pressure-evoked Pain perception — 1.5 and 4 hours after administration Pain threshold (kPa) in the Pressure Pain Threshold
Self-reported pain — 1.5, 2.5 and 4 hours after administration Painfulness Visual Analogue Scale (0: no pain; 10 worst pain)
Trial sites (2)
Facility
City
Region
Status
Maastricht University
Maastricht
Limburg
Recruiting
Leiden University Medical Center
Leiden
South Holland
Recruiting
More Maastricht University trials in the Netherlands
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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