Chronic Low-back PainPhase 1NCT06355414
Psilocybin in Chronic Low Back Pain and Depression
A Phase 1 study testing Psilocybin and Methylphenidate in people with Chronic Low-back Pain and Depression, run by Johns Hopkins University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study seeks to provide insight on psilocybin's effects on mechanisms of chronic pain among patients with co-morbid chronic low back pain and depression (CLBP+D). Participants will receive either a single high-dose of psilocybin (25mg absolute dose) or methylphenidate (40mg absolute dose). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Low-back Pain, Depression
- What is being tested?
- Psilocybin and Methylphenidate
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 22 Apr 2024to 30 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 21 to 80 years old
- Have given written informed consent
- Report low back pain as ongoing problem ≥ 3 months and any low back pain on at least half of the days over the past 6 months (consistent with NIH Consensus Recommendations for defining CLBP; other chronic pain problems can be present, but CLBP must be reported as primary)
- Report at least moderate depression symptoms Grid-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (GRID-HAMD) ≥ 17
- Fluent in English
- At least high school level of education
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- Agree to abstain from any psychoactive drugs on the day prior to and the day of the drug administration session
- Women who are of childbearing potential and sexually active who are not practicing an effective means of birth control must agree to practice an effective means of birth control throughout the duration of the study
- Be judged by study team clinicians to be at low risk for suicidality
- Concurrent psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norephinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and/or bupropion (< 300 mg bupropion) is allowed if the type and frequency of the therapy has been stable for at least two months prior to screening and is expected to remain stable during participation in the study.
- Concurrent psychotherapy is allowed if the type and frequency of the therapy has been stable for at least two months prior to screening and is expected to remain stable during participation in the study
- Be otherwise medically stable as determined by screening for medical problems via a personal interview, a medical questionnaire, a physical examination, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and routine medical blood and urinalysis laboratory tests; CBC, comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), urine beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), urine toxicology screen.
- Agree to consume approximately the same amount of caffeine-containing beverage (e.g., coffee, tea) that he/she consumes on a usual morning, before arriving at the research unit on the mornings of drug session days. If the participant does not routinely consume caffeinated beverages, he/she must agree not to do so on session days.
- Agree not to take any as needed (PRN) medications on the mornings of drug sessions
- Agree not to take sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil, or similar medications within 72 hours of each drug administration
- Agree that for one week before each drug session, he/she will refrain from taking any nonprescription medication, nutritional supplement, or herbal supplement except when approved by the study investigators. Exceptions will be evaluated by the study investigators and will include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and common doses of vitamins and minerals.
- Have limited lifetime use of hallucinogens (the following criteria are preferred: no use in the past 5 years; total hallucinogen use less than 10 times)
Who cannot join
- Lifetime history of serious psychiatric (other than depression) or neurological disorders, including bipolar disorder, psychosis, or seizure disorder
- History (past 2 years) of severe substance use disorder or current (past six months) substance use disorder of moderate severity
- Clinically significant suicidal ideation (e.g. with strong intent or means) within past 6 months or history (past 5 years) of suicide attempt
- Medical condition incompatible with psilocybin administration (e.g., cardiovascular)
- On unstable/changing dose of opioid, benzodiazepine or other psychoactive or pain medication within 4 weeks prior to enrollment and/or unable to abstain from medication on drug administration day
- Current use/positive toxicology for illicit drugs or positive breath alcohol test at screening and prior to each drug administration session.
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- Clinically significant transaminitis- aspertate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) greater than two times normal value).
- Women who are pregnant (as indicated by a positive urine pregnancy test assessed at intake and before each drug session) or nursing;
- Women who are of childbearing potential and sexually active who are not practicing an effective means of birth control.
- Cardiovascular conditions: coronary artery disease, stroke, angina, uncontrolled hypertension, a clinically significant ECG abnormality (e.g., atrial fibrillation), prolonged corrected QT interval (QTc) interval (i.e., QTc > 450 msec), heart valve, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the past year.
- History of seizures and/or epilepsy with history of seizures.
- Type 1 diabetes.
- BMI < 18
- Medical conditions contraindicated for methylphenidate administration:
- Concomitant use of Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or use within 14 days of MAOI discontinuation
- Family history or diagnosis of Tourette's syndrome
- Known Fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or sucrase-isomaltose insufficiency
- Glaucoma
- Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate
- Marked agitation, anxiety, and tension
- Motor tics
- Currently taking on a regular (e.g., daily) basis any antidepressant medications other than SSRIs, SNRIs, or bupropion, or any other medications that have a primary centrally-acting serotonergic effect, including MAOIs. Bupropion dosage must be < 300 mg in order to be included. For individuals who have intermittent or PRN use of such medications and/or who taper off such medications after regular use, psilocybin sessions will not be conducted until at least 14 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is greater) of the agent have elapsed after the last dose.
- Nicotine dependence that would be incompatible with an individual to be nicotine free for 8-10 hours on a psilocybin session day
- Have a first degree relative with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders (except substance/medication-induced or due to another medical condition), or bipolar I disorder
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, 21224
David Yaden, PhD, 410-550-5250 ext. 0-5250, dyaden1@jhmi.edu
David Yaden, PhD
About this study
Official title: Psilocybin and Affective Function in Chronic Lower Back Pain Depression
This study seeks to provide insight on psilocybin's effects on mechanisms of chronic pain among patients with co-morbid chronic low back pain and depression (CLBP+D).
Participants will receive either a single high-dose of psilocybin (25mg absolute dose) or methylphenidate (40mg absolute dose). Participants will be asked to complete assessments of pain, depressive symptoms, and more general questionnaires regarding the participants experiences during the experimental sessions and the associated enduring effects.
Read the detailed description
This study will investigate the effects of a single experimental psilocybin (25 mg fixed dose) administration compared to a dose of methylphenidate (40 mg fixed dose). Assessments will be conducted during screening visits, before and after the drug session, at follow up visits up to 1-month after the drug session, as well as periodically throughout study participation via a multi-time-per-day survey application. Forty participants will complete all study visits including follow-up visits.
Primary objectives:
- Investigate the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of psilocybin for CLBP+D
- Investigate the effect of psilocybin on self-report of positive affect, negative affect, and pain catastrophizing
- Investigate the effect of psilocybin on a behavioral task called positive affective pain inhibition
Secondary objectives:
- Investigate the durability (1-month follow-up) effects of psilocybin on self-report of positive affect, negative affect, and pain catastrophizing
- Investigate the effect of psilocybin on dynamic associations between affective measures, pain, and function on a moment-to-moment basis.
- Conditions
- Chronic Low-back Pain, Depression
- Being tested
- Psilocybin, Methylphenidate
- Keywords
- Psilocybin, Chronic Low-back Pain, Depression
- Medical subject headings
- Depression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PsilocybinDrug
Drug administration under supportive conditions
MethylphenidateDrug
Drug administration under supportive conditions
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin | Experimental | This arm will receive a single, absolute dose (25 mg) of psilocybin. Receives: Drug: Psilocybin |
| Methylphenidate | Active comparator | This arm will receive a single, absolute dose (40 mg) of methylphenidate. Receives: Drug: Methylphenidate |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Changes in positive affect as assessed by discrete positive affect items and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Discrete positive affect items: joy, love, hope, contentment. Positive affect will be assessed by asking participants to rate the intensity of four discrete positive emotions (joy, love, hope, contentment) on a 5-point Likert scale from 1-5 ("Very slightly or not at all" to "Extremely") and averaging those discrete items. Positive Affect scores will be aggregated over 7-day EMA periods at baseline, post-session, and 1-month follow-up. Higher Positive Affect scores represent higher levels of positive affect.
A separate set of linear mixed-effects models (LMERs) will be utilized for each primary endpoint (aggregated averages of momentary positive affect), with a primary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and Week 1. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the primary endpoint differs between Baseline and Week 1, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Measured: 7-day period of EMA Post-drug Session (1-day through 1-week after drug session) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Changes in negative affect as assessed by discrete negative affect items and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Discrete negative emotion items: depressed, angry, frustrated, and worried. Negative affect will be assessed by asking participants to rate the intensity of four discrete negative emotions (depressed, angry, frustrated, and worried) on a 5-point Likert scale from 1-5 ("Very slightly or not at all" to "Extremely") and averaging those discrete items. Negative Affect scores will be aggregated over 7-day EMA periods at baseline, post-session, and 1-month follow-up. Lower Negative Affect scores represent lower levels of negative affect.
A separate set of LMERs will be utilized for each primary endpoint (aggregated averages of momentary negative affect), with a primary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and Week 1. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus of interest, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the primary endpoint differs between Baseline and Week 1, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Measured: 7-day period of EMA Post-drug Session (1-day through 1-week after drug session) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Changes in Pain Catastrophizing as assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Pain catastrophizing will be assessed with three items taken from the Pain Catastrophizing Scale that have been specifically validated for use in Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) studies of patients with chronic pain. Items will be administered via EMA and scores will be aggregated over 7-day EMA periods at baseline, post-session, and 1-month follow-up. Each item is on a 5-point Likert scale (ranging from 0, "Not at all", to 4, "All the time"). Higher scores on each of these items indicates increased pain catastrophizing.
A separate set of LMERs will be utilized for each primary endpoint (aggregated averages of momentary pain catastrophizing), with a primary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and Week 1. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus of interest, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the primary endpoint differs between Baseline and Week 1, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Measured: 7-day period of EMA Post-drug Session (1-day through 1-week after drug session) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Changes in Positive Affective Pain Inhibition (Quantitative Sensory Testing)
Positive Affective Pain Inhibition will be assessed using quantitative sensory testing at baseline, 1-week post-drug-administration, and 1-month post-drug-administration. Positive affective pain inhibition is measured as the difference in pain ratings to noxious stimuli administered during the presentation of positive/rewarding stimuli relative to neutral or negative stimuli.
A separate set of LMERs will be utilized for each primary endpoint (index of Positive Affective Pain Inhibition), with a primary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and Week 1. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus of interest, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the primary endpoint differs between Baseline and Week 1, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Measured: Baseline, 1-week follow-up
Secondary outcomes (4)
Changes in positive affect as assessed by discrete positive affect items and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Discrete positive affect items: joy, love, hope, contentment. Positive affect will be assessed by asking participants to rate the intensity of four discrete positive emotions (joy, love, hope, contentment) on a 5-point Likert scale from 1-5 ("Very slightly or not at all" to "Extremely") and averaging discrete items. Positive Affect scores will be aggregated over 7-day EMA periods at baseline, post-session, and 1-month follow-up. Higher Positive Affect scores represent higher levels of positive affect.
A separate set of LMERs will be utilized for each endpoint (aggregated averages of momentary positive affect), with a secondary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and 1-Month. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus of interest, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the secondary endpoint differs between Baseline and 1-Month, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Measured: 7-day period of EMA 1-month Post-drug (7 days leading up to 1-month follow-up) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Changes in negative affect as assessed by discrete negative affect items and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Discrete negative emotion items: depressed, angry, frustrated, and worried. Negative affect will be assessed by asking participants to rate the intensity of four discrete negative emotions (depressed, angry, frustrated, and worried) on a 5-point Likert scale from 1-5 ("Very slightly or not at all" to "Extremely") and averaging discrete items. Negative Affect scores will be aggregated over 7-day EMA periods at baseline, post-session, and 1-month follow-up. Lower Negative Affect scores represent lower levels of negative affect.
A separate set of LMERs will be utilized for each endpoint (aggregated averages of momentary negative affect), with a secondary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and 1-Month. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus of interest, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the secondary endpoint differs between Baseline and 1-Month, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Measured: 7-day period of EMA 1-month Post-drug (7 days leading up to 1-month follow-up) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Changes in Pain Catastrophizing as assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Pain catastrophizing will be assessed with three items taken from the Pain Catastrophizing Scale that have been specifically validated for use in Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) studies of patients with chronic pain. Items will be administered via EMA and scores will be aggregated over 7-day EMA periods at baseline, post-session, and 1-month follow-up. Each item is on a 5-point Likert scale (ranging from 0, "Not at all", to 4, "All the time"). Higher scores on each of these items indicates increased pain catastrophizing.
A separate set of LMERs will be utilized for each endpoint (aggregated averages of momentary pain catastrophizing), with a secondary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and 1-Month. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus of interest, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the secondary endpoint differs between Baseline and 1-Month, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Measured: 7-day period of EMA 1-month Post-drug (7 days leading up to 1-month follow-up) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Changes in Positive Affective Pain Inhibition (Quantitative Sensory Testing)
Positive Affective Pain Inhibition will be assessed using quantitative sensory testing at baseline, 1-week post-drug-administration, and 1-month post-drug-administration. Positive affective pain inhibition is measured as the difference in pain ratings to noxious stimuli administered during the presentation of positive/rewarding stimuli relative to neutral or negative stimuli.
A separate set of LMERs will be utilized for each endpoint (index of Positive Affective Pain Inhibition), with a secondary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and 1-Month. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus of interest, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the secondary endpoint differs between Baseline and 1-Month, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Measured: Baseline, 1-Month follow-up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Apr 2024
- Study start22 Apr 2024
- Primary completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (28)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Chronic Low-back PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Johns Hopkins UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomized, double-blind, active control study comparing the effects of psilocybin (25mg fixed dose) and methylphenidate (40mg fixed dose)
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Johns Hopkins University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- David B Yaden, PhD, Principal investigator, Johns Hopkins University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06355414
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB00385932
- Other IDs
- R33AT012317
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Mar 2024
- Last updated
- 4 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Mak HW, Schneider S. Individual differences in momentary pain-affect coupling and their associations with mental health in patients with chronic pain. J Psychosom Res. 2020 Nov;138:110227. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110227. Epub 2020 Aug 28.
PubMed 32919151Roy M, Peretz I, Rainville P. Emotional valence contributes to music-induced analgesia. Pain. 2008 Jan;134(1-2):140-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.04.003. Epub 2007 May 25.
PubMed 17532141Sullivan MJ, Bishop SR, & Pivik J (1995). The pain catastrophizing scale: development and validation. Psychol Assess, 7(4): 524.
Vanderlind WM, Everaert J, Joormann J. Positive emotion in daily life: Emotion regulation and depression. Emotion. 2022 Oct;22(7):1614-1624. doi: 10.1037/emo0000944. Epub 2021 Mar 4.
PubMed 33661667Yaden, D. B., Kaufman, S. B., Hyde, E., Chirico, A., Gaggioli, A., Zhang, J. W., & Keltner, D. (2019). The development of the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-S): A multifactorial measure for a complex emotion. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(4): 474-488.
Kroenke K, Wu J, Bair MJ, Krebs EE, Damush TM, Tu W. Reciprocal relationship between pain and depression: a 12-month longitudinal analysis in primary care. J Pain. 2011 Sep;12(9):964-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2011.03.003. Epub 2011 Jun 16.
PubMed 21680251Krebs EE, Lorenz KA, Bair MJ, Damush TM, Wu J, Sutherland JM, Asch SM, Kroenke K. Development and initial validation of the PEG, a three-item scale assessing pain intensity and interference. J Gen Intern Med. 2009 Jun;24(6):733-8. doi: 10.1007/s11606-009-0981-1. Epub 2009 May 6.
PubMed 19418100Griffiths RR, Johnson MW, Carducci MA, Umbricht A, Richards WA, Richards BD, Cosimano MP, Klinedinst MA. Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. J Psychopharmacol. 2016 Dec;30(12):1181-1197. doi: 10.1177/0269881116675513.
PubMed 27909165Griffiths RR, Richards WA, McCann U, Jesse R. Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2006 Aug;187(3):268-83; discussion 284-92. doi: 10.1007/s00213-006-0457-5. Epub 2006 Jul 7.
PubMed 16826400Gratz, K. L., & Roemer, L. (2004). Multidimensional Assessment of Emotion Regulation and Dysregulation: Development, Factor Structure, and Initial Validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Journal of Psychopathology & Behavioral Assessment, 26(1): 41
George SZ, Calley D, Valencia C, Beneciuk JM. Clinical Investigation of Pain-related Fear and Pain Catastrophizing for Patients With Low Back Pain. Clin J Pain. 2011 Feb;27(2):108-15. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e3181f21414.
PubMed 20842009Freynhagen R, Baron R, Gockel U, Tolle TR. painDETECT: a new screening questionnaire to identify neuropathic components in patients with back pain. Curr Med Res Opin. 2006 Oct;22(10):1911-20. doi: 10.1185/030079906X132488.
PubMed 17022849Flink IL, Boersma K, Linton SJ. Pain catastrophizing as repetitive negative thinking: a development of the conceptualization. Cogn Behav Ther. 2013;42(3):215-23. doi: 10.1080/16506073.2013.769621.
PubMed 23978106Finan PH, Garland EL. The role of positive affect in pain and its treatment. Clin J Pain. 2015 Feb;31(2):177-87. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000092.
PubMed 24751543Fairbank JC, Pynsent PB. The Oswestry Disability Index. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2000 Nov 15;25(22):2940-52; discussion 2952. doi: 10.1097/00007632-200011150-00017.
PubMed 11074683
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Psilocybin and Affective Function in Chronic Lower Back Pain Depression
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06355414
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB00385932
- Conditions
- Chronic Low-back Pain, Depression
- Keywords
- Psilocybin, Chronic Low-back Pain, Depression
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Johns Hopkins UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Study start
- 22 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study seeks to provide insight on psilocybin's effects on mechanisms of chronic pain among patients with co-morbid chronic low back pain and depression (CLBP+D).
Participants will receive either a single high-dose of psilocybin (25mg absolute dose) or methylphenidate (40mg absolute dose). Participants will be asked to complete assessments of pain, depressive symptoms, and more general questionnaires regarding the participants experiences during the experimental sessions and the associated enduring effects.
Detailed description
This study will investigate the effects of a single experimental psilocybin (25 mg fixed dose) administration compared to a dose of methylphenidate (40 mg fixed dose). Assessments will be conducted during screening visits, before and after the drug session, at follow up visits up to 1-month after the drug session, as well as periodically throughout study participation via a multi-time-per-day survey application. Forty participants will complete all study visits including follow-up visits.
Primary objectives:
- Investigate the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of psilocybin for CLBP+D
- Investigate the effect of psilocybin on self-report of positive affect, negative affect, and pain catastrophizing
- Investigate the effect of psilocybin on a behavioral task called positive affective pain inhibition
Secondary objectives:
- Investigate the durability (1-month follow-up) effects of psilocybin on self-report of positive affect, negative affect, and pain catastrophizing
- Investigate the effect of psilocybin on dynamic associations between affective measures, pain, and function on a moment-to-moment basis.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomized, double-blind, active control study comparing the effects of psilocybin (25mg fixed dose) and methylphenidate (40mg fixed dose)
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin | Experimental | Drug: PsilocybinThis arm will receive a single, absolute dose (25 mg) of psilocybin. |
| Methylphenidate | Active comparator | Drug: MethylphenidateThis arm will receive a single, absolute dose (40 mg) of methylphenidate. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (17 listed)
- 21 to 80 years old
- Have given written informed consent
- Report low back pain as ongoing problem ≥ 3 months and any low back pain on at least half of the days over the past 6 months (consistent with NIH Consensus Recommendations for defining CLBP; other chronic pain problems can be present, but CLBP must be reported as primary)
- Report at least moderate depression symptoms Grid-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (GRID-HAMD) ≥ 17
- Fluent in English
Key exclusion criteria (24 listed)
- Lifetime history of serious psychiatric (other than depression) or neurological disorders, including bipolar disorder, psychosis, or seizure disorder
- History (past 2 years) of severe substance use disorder or current (past six months) substance use disorder of moderate severity
- Clinically significant suicidal ideation (e.g. with strong intent or means) within past 6 months or history (past 5 years) of suicide attempt
- Medical condition incompatible with psilocybin administration (e.g., cardiovascular)
- On unstable/changing dose of opioid, benzodiazepine or other psychoactive or pain medication within 4 weeks prior to enrollment and/or unable to abstain from medication on drug administration day
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| PsilocybinDrug administration under supportive conditions | Drug | Psilocybin |
| MethylphenidateDrug administration under supportive conditions | Drug | Methylphenidate |
Primary outcome
Changes in positive affect as assessed by discrete positive affect items and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Time frame: 7-day period of EMA Post-drug Session (1-day through 1-week after drug session) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Discrete positive affect items: joy, love, hope, contentment. Positive affect will be assessed by asking participants to rate the intensity of four discrete positive emotions (joy, love, hope, contentment) on a 5-point Likert scale from 1-5 ("Very slightly or not at all" to "Extremely") and averaging those discrete items. Positive Affect scores will be aggregated over 7-day EMA periods at baseline, post-session, and 1-month follow-up. Higher Positive Affect scores represent higher levels of positive affect. A separate set of linear mixed-effects models (LMERs) will be utilized for each primary endpoint (aggregated averages of momentary positive affect), with a primary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and Week 1. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the primary endpoint differs between Baseline and Week 1, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Changes in negative affect as assessed by discrete negative affect items and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Time frame: 7-day period of EMA Post-drug Session (1-day through 1-week after drug session) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Discrete negative emotion items: depressed, angry, frustrated, and worried. Negative affect will be assessed by asking participants to rate the intensity of four discrete negative emotions (depressed, angry, frustrated, and worried) on a 5-point Likert scale from 1-5 ("Very slightly or not at all" to "Extremely") and averaging those discrete items. Negative Affect scores will be aggregated over 7-day EMA periods at baseline, post-session, and 1-month follow-up. Lower Negative Affect scores represent lower levels of negative affect. A separate set of LMERs will be utilized for each primary endpoint (aggregated averages of momentary negative affect), with a primary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and Week 1. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus of interest, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the primary endpoint differs between Baseline and Week 1, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Changes in Pain Catastrophizing as assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Time frame: 7-day period of EMA Post-drug Session (1-day through 1-week after drug session) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Pain catastrophizing will be assessed with three items taken from the Pain Catastrophizing Scale that have been specifically validated for use in Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) studies of patients with chronic pain. Items will be administered via EMA and scores will be aggregated over 7-day EMA periods at baseline, post-session, and 1-month follow-up. Each item is on a 5-point Likert scale (ranging from 0, "Not at all", to 4, "All the time"). Higher scores on each of these items indicates increased pain catastrophizing. A separate set of LMERs will be utilized for each primary endpoint (aggregated averages of momentary pain catastrophizing), with a primary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and Week 1. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus of interest, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the primary endpoint differs between Baseline and Week 1, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
Changes in Positive Affective Pain Inhibition (Quantitative Sensory Testing)
Time frame: Baseline, 1-week follow-up
Positive Affective Pain Inhibition will be assessed using quantitative sensory testing at baseline, 1-week post-drug-administration, and 1-month post-drug-administration. Positive affective pain inhibition is measured as the difference in pain ratings to noxious stimuli administered during the presentation of positive/rewarding stimuli relative to neutral or negative stimuli. A separate set of LMERs will be utilized for each primary endpoint (index of Positive Affective Pain Inhibition), with a primary LMER estimating the difference between Baseline and Week 1. The Time x Group interaction will be the primary focus of interest, and we aim to evaluate 1) the extent to which the primary endpoint differs between Baseline and Week 1, and 2) the extent to which that difference varies between the Psilocybin and Control groups.
4 secondary outcomes
Changes in positive affect as assessed by discrete positive affect items and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Time frame: 7-day period of EMA 1-month Post-drug (7 days leading up to 1-month follow-up) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Changes in negative affect as assessed by discrete negative affect items and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Time frame: 7-day period of EMA 1-month Post-drug (7 days leading up to 1-month follow-up) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Changes in Pain Catastrophizing as assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Time frame: 7-day period of EMA 1-month Post-drug (7 days leading up to 1-month follow-up) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)
Changes in Positive Affective Pain Inhibition (Quantitative Sensory Testing)
Time frame: Baseline, 1-Month follow-up
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Sep 2026.
- Background: PubMed 32919151Mak HW, Schneider S. Individual differences in momentary pain-affect coupling and their associations with mental health in patients with chronic pain. J Psychosom Res. 2020 Nov;138:110227. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110227. Epub 2020 Aug 28.
- Background: PubMed 17532141Roy M, Peretz I, Rainville P. Emotional valence contributes to music-induced analgesia. Pain. 2008 Jan;134(1-2):140-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.04.003. Epub 2007 May 25.
- BackgroundSullivan MJ, Bishop SR, & Pivik J (1995). The pain catastrophizing scale: development and validation. Psychol Assess, 7(4): 524.
- Background: PubMed 33661667Vanderlind WM, Everaert J, Joormann J. Positive emotion in daily life: Emotion regulation and depression. Emotion. 2022 Oct;22(7):1614-1624. doi: 10.1037/emo0000944. Epub 2021 Mar 4.
- BackgroundYaden, D. B., Kaufman, S. B., Hyde, E., Chirico, A., Gaggioli, A., Zhang, J. W., & Keltner, D. (2019). The development of the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-S): A multifactorial measure for a complex emotion. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(4): 474-488.
- Background: PubMed 21680251Kroenke K, Wu J, Bair MJ, Krebs EE, Damush TM, Tu W. Reciprocal relationship between pain and depression: a 12-month longitudinal analysis in primary care. J Pain. 2011 Sep;12(9):964-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2011.03.003. Epub 2011 Jun 16.
- Background: PubMed 19418100Krebs EE, Lorenz KA, Bair MJ, Damush TM, Wu J, Sutherland JM, Asch SM, Kroenke K. Development and initial validation of the PEG, a three-item scale assessing pain intensity and interference. J Gen Intern Med. 2009 Jun;24(6):733-8. doi: 10.1007/s11606-009-0981-1. Epub 2009 May 6.
- Background: PubMed 27909165Griffiths RR, Johnson MW, Carducci MA, Umbricht A, Richards WA, Richards BD, Cosimano MP, Klinedinst MA. Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. J Psychopharmacol. 2016 Dec;30(12):1181-1197. doi: 10.1177/0269881116675513.
- Background: PubMed 16826400Griffiths RR, Richards WA, McCann U, Jesse R. Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2006 Aug;187(3):268-83; discussion 284-92. doi: 10.1007/s00213-006-0457-5. Epub 2006 Jul 7.
- BackgroundGratz, K. L., & Roemer, L. (2004). Multidimensional Assessment of Emotion Regulation and Dysregulation: Development, Factor Structure, and Initial Validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Journal of Psychopathology & Behavioral Assessment, 26(1): 41
- Background: PubMed 20842009George SZ, Calley D, Valencia C, Beneciuk JM. Clinical Investigation of Pain-related Fear and Pain Catastrophizing for Patients With Low Back Pain. Clin J Pain. 2011 Feb;27(2):108-15. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e3181f21414.
- Background: PubMed 17022849Freynhagen R, Baron R, Gockel U, Tolle TR. painDETECT: a new screening questionnaire to identify neuropathic components in patients with back pain. Curr Med Res Opin. 2006 Oct;22(10):1911-20. doi: 10.1185/030079906X132488.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
David B Yaden, PhD principal investigator
Johns Hopkins University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1 study testing Psilocybin and Methylphenidate in people with Chronic Low-back Pain and Depression, run by Johns Hopkins University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 17 inclusion and 24 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Arozo Azimi, BA (410-550-1140, LowBackPain@jh.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Changes in positive affect as assessed by discrete positive affect items and averaged over 7-day periods of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) (time frame: 7-day period of EMA Post-drug Session (1-day through 1-week after drug session) relative to Baseline (beginning the day after baseline visit is complete)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06355414, which also lists 28 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Sep 2026.