Psilocybin for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

9 papers and 11 clinical trials exploring psilocybin as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (ocd).

CompoundClassic Psychedelic

Psilocybin

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring tryptamine psychedelic that acts as a prodrug to psilocin, a potent 5-HT2A receptor agonist. It is the furthest advanced psychedelic in clinical development, with two positive Phase III trials in treatment-resistant depression and expanding regulated access in Australia, Germany, and US states.

Full Psilocybin profile
IndicationAbout 1-2% of the population worldwide.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Recent research indicates that psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, are emerging as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Early clinical trials demonstrate promising results regarding their efficacy and safety, paving the way for future studies in this field.

Full Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) profile

Academic Research

9 papers
Open Accessindividual

Acute and post-dosing effects of single-dose psilocybin for obsessive-compulsive disorder in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Qualitative interviews with 12 participants from a randomized, placebo‑controlled single‑dose psilocybin trial for treatment‑refractory OCD showed that set and setting strongly shaped acute (often partial) perceptual, emotional and metacognitive experiences, which were followed by post‑dosing changes in OCD symptoms, perceptions and behavioural/metacognitive processes. These changes mapped onto putative mechanisms of ERP and ACT, suggesting hypotheses for further study and potential value in integrating psilocybin with structured psychotherapy for OCD.

Published
Journal
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Authors
Ching, T. H. W., Stahnke, B., Shnayder, S., Agin-Liebes, G., Adams, T. G., Amoroso, L., Baiz, O., Belser, A., Bohner, C., Burke, M., D’Amico, E., DePalmer, G., Eilbott, J., Fram, G., Grazioplene, R., Hokanson, J., Jankovsky, A., Kichuk, S. A., Martins, B., Purohit, P., Schaer, H., Sierra, Y. P., Witherow, C., Pittenger, C., Kelmendi, B.
Open Accessindividual

Long-term Amelioration of OCD Symptoms in a Patient with Chronic Consumption of Psilocybin-containing Mushrooms

This case report (n=1) describes the self-medication outcomes of a patient with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who ingested psilocybin-containing mushrooms (2g dried weight; Psilocybe caerulescens) every 2 weeks over a 6 month period. He reported feelings of dissociation without hallucination and the disappearance of OCD symptoms 1 hour after ingestion and was able to perform most of his daily tasks and work without interruptions which meaningfully improved his wellbeing and quality of life for two weeks after each ingestion. The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale confirmed that his obsessive thoughts and compulsions, as well as the rumination, worry and anxiety, and checking behavior, had been significantly reduced over the course of treatment

Published
Journal
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
Authors
Cortes-Lopez, J. L., Lugo-Radillo, A.

Clinical Trials

11 trials
Not yet recruitingPhase I

A Phase 1, Open-label, Single-arm Basket Trial of the Intravenously Administered Psilocin (TRP-8803): Safety, Anxiety, and Quality of Life Across Health Conditions Characterised by Cognitive Inflexibility, Emotional Distress, and Persistent Bodily Symptom Burden

This Phase 1, open‑label, single‑arm basket trial (N=66) tests the safety and early clinical effects of intravenous psilocin (TRP‑8803) administered in two dosing sessions alongside psychotherapy over a 6‑week treatment period, with a 12‑week follow‑up. Conducted in Australia and sponsored by Tryp Therapeutics, the study enrols participants across ten diagnostic cohorts — anorexia nervosa, body dysmorphic disorder, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, generalised anxiety disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, long COVID, major depressive disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder and post‑traumatic stress disorder — to evaluate tolerability and signals of benefit in anxiety and quality of life. As a Phase 1 trial the primary outcomes focus on safety and tolerability (adverse events, vital signs and treatment‑emergent effects), with secondary or exploratory outcomes assessing changes in anxiety symptoms and health‑related quality of life using standardised, validated instruments. The single‑arm, open‑label design means there is no placebo or active comparator, and efficacy assessments are intended to generate preliminary, hypothesis‑generating data to inform the design of subsequent controlled studies. The study began recruitment in November 2025.

Started
Type
interventional
Blinding
none
Randomized
Yes
Registry ID
12625000949482

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