Can a one-off administration of psilocybin reduce alcohol intake in patients with alcohol use disorder? A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (n=100) tests whether a single 25 mg oral psilocybin capsule reduces heavy drinking days in patients with alcohol use disorder.
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Detailed Description
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-site Phase II trial in Denmark evaluating a single 25 mg oral dose of psilocybin (PEX010) versus placebo in patients with alcohol use disorder (n=100).
Primary outcome is percentage of heavy drinking days over the last 28 days at 12-week follow-up; secondary outcomes include total alcohol consumption, abstinent days, craving scales, liver biomarkers, pharmacokinetics of psilocin, and fMRI measures.
The trial includes comprehensive safety monitoring, assessment of the acute psychedelic experience with validated questionnaires, and exploration of brain network changes related to treatment response.
Study Protocol
Preparation
Dosing
Integration
Therapeutic Protocol
Study Arms & Interventions
Psilocybin 25 mg
experimentalSingle oral administration of psilocybin (PEX010) as a 25 mg capsule.
Interventions
- Psilocybin25 mgvia Oral• single dose• 1 doses total
PEX010 psilocybin capsules (25 mg); dry extract from Psilocybe cubensis (15–25:1).
Placebo (matched to psilocybin 25 mg)
inactiveMatching placebo capsule, oral.
Interventions
- Placebovia Oral• single dose• 1 doses total
Matching placebo capsule (capsule form).
Participants
Inclusion Criteria
- 1. Age 20–70 years inclusive.
- 2. Body weight 60–95 kg inclusive.
- 3. Diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (DSM-5) and alcohol dependence (ICD-10).
- 4. AUDIT ≥ 15.
- 5. ≥5 heavy drinking days (men >60 g/day; women >48 g/day) in the past 28 days measured by TLFB.
Exclusion Criteria
- 1. Personal or first-degree relative with current or previous psychotic spectrum disorder or bipolar disorder.
- 2. History of delirium tremens or alcohol withdrawal seizures.
- 3. History of suicide attempt or current suicidal ideation.
- 4. Withdrawal symptoms at inclusion (CIWA-Ar > 9).
- 5. Severe neurological disease (including head trauma with LOC >30 min).
- 6. Impaired hepatic function (ALT/AST >3× ULN).
- 7. Cardiac problems (decompensated heart failure NYHA III–IV, unstable angina, or MI within 12 months).
- 8. Abnormal ECG.
- 9. Impaired renal function (eGFR <50 ml/min).
- 10. Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP >165 mmHg or DBP >95 mmHg).
- 11. Current pharmacotherapy for AUD (disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, nalmefene) within 28 days.
- 12. Treatment with serotonergic medication or use of serotonergic psychedelics within 1 month.
- 13. Other active substance use disorder (DUDIT >6/2) except nicotine.
- 14. Women of childbearing potential who are pregnant, breastfeeding, intending pregnancy, or not using highly effective contraception.
- 15. Hypersensitivity to active substance or excipients.
- 16. Contraindications to fMRI (for scan subgroups).
- 17. Unable to speak/understand Danish.
- 18. Any condition judged by investigator to interfere with participation.
Study Protocol, Arms & Participants
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Study Details
- StatusActive not recruiting
- PhasePhase II
- Typeinterventional
- DesignRandomizeddouble Blind
- Target Enrollment100 participants
- TimelineStart: 2020-12-16End: 2024-09-30
- Compounds
- Topic
Study Team
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Novo Nordisk FoundationPrimary Sponsor
Locations
Recent activity
- StartedCan a one-off administration of psilocybin reduce alcohol intake in patients with alcohol use disord… (2020-000829-55, psilocybin)
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