The administration of psilocybin to healthy, hallucinogen-experienced volunteers in a mock-functional magnetic resonance imaging environment: a preliminary investigation of tolerability
Carhart-Harris, R. L., Feilding, A., Nutt, D. J., Rich, A. S., Sessa, B., Tyacke, R. J., Williams, T. M.
This study (n=9) tested the tolerability of psilocybin in an fMRI environment, and found high levels of tolerability. It found that full-dose psychedelic studies with fMRI equipment are viable.
Abstract
This study sought to assess the tolerability of intravenously administered psilocybin in healthy, hallucinogen-experienced volunteers in a mock-magnetic resonance imaging environment as a preliminary stage to a controlled investigation using functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore the effects of psilocybin on cerebral blood flow and activity. The present pilot study demonstrated that up to 2 mg of psilocybin delivered as a slow intravenous injection produces short-lived but typical drug effects that are psychologically and physiologically well tolerated. With appropriate care, this study supports the viability of functional magnetic resonance imaging work with psilocybin.