Ignite Creation Date:
2026-03-26 @ 3:15 PM
Ignite Modification Date:
2026-03-30 @ 2:57 AM
Study NCT ID:
NCT07479550
Status:
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Last Update Posted:
2026-03-18
First Post:
2026-03-08
Is NOT Gene Therapy:
True
Has Adverse Events:
False
Brief Title:
Anesthesia-Masked Psilocybin Therapy for Major Depression
Sponsor:
Stanford University
Organization:
Study Overview
Official Title:
A Phase 2 Randomized Study Examining the Safety, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of Masking Psilocybin Therapy With General Anesthesia in Major Depressive Disorder
Status:
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Status Verified Date:
2026-03
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
SPACE
Brief Summary:
Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects millions of Americans and remains difficult to treat. Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, has shown promise for reducing depression symptoms, but a key challenge in psychedelic research is that participants can usually tell whether they received the active drug - making it hard to conduct fully blinded studies.
This study tests a new approach: administering psilocybin while participants are under general anesthesia, so that the noticeable psychological effects of psilocybin are masked. This allows both participants and outcome assessors to remain unaware of whether psilocybin or placebo was given, improving the scientific rigor of the research.
Participants with MDD will be randomly assigned to receive either psilocybin or placebo across four dosing sessions conducted under general anesthesia. The study will assess whether this approach is safe and feasible, and will collect early data on whether it may reduce depression symptoms.
This study tests a new approach: administering psilocybin while participants are under general anesthesia, so that the noticeable psychological effects of psilocybin are masked. This allows both participants and outcome assessors to remain unaware of whether psilocybin or placebo was given, improving the scientific rigor of the research.
Participants with MDD will be randomly assigned to receive either psilocybin or placebo across four dosing sessions conducted under general anesthesia. The study will assess whether this approach is safe and feasible, and will collect early data on whether it may reduce depression symptoms.
Detailed Description:
Participants will receive four dosing sessions spaced one week apart. Each session involves taking an oral capsule containing either psilocybin (10 mg or 25 mg) or placebo, followed by general anesthesia with propofol.
All sessions take place at Stanford Hospital under the supervision of a board-certified anesthesiologist. Between and after sessions, participants complete questionnaires about mood, sleep, wellbeing, and anxiety. Participants may also wear a consumer-grade EEG headband at home to track sleep patterns.
The total study duration per participant is approximately 7 weeks, across around 25 visits, most of which are conducted remotely. Psilocybin is not FDA-approved and is administered under an FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) authorization for research purposes only.
All sessions take place at Stanford Hospital under the supervision of a board-certified anesthesiologist. Between and after sessions, participants complete questionnaires about mood, sleep, wellbeing, and anxiety. Participants may also wear a consumer-grade EEG headband at home to track sleep patterns.
The total study duration per participant is approximately 7 weeks, across around 25 visits, most of which are conducted remotely. Psilocybin is not FDA-approved and is administered under an FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) authorization for research purposes only.
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
True
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
True
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
False
Is an Unapproved Device?:
None
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?: