Psilocybin study enrolls clinicians with COVID-linked blues

Enrollment has begun in a small study of whether psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety that front-line clinicians developed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Psilocybin is the psychedelic compound found in some species of mushrooms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently classified its assistive role in psychotherapy as a "breakthrough therapy" for depression.

This is the first study of the therapy's potential benefit with clinicians, and the University of Washington School of Medicine is the sole trial site. Thirty participants will be randomly assigned to either the test group or placebo group. The psilocybin or placebo will be given during one session in a series of visits with specially trained psychotherapists.

“We’re looking for doctors, nurses and advance-practice providers who have clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety. We hope to help them address their feelings of grief, inadequacy and moral distress as a result of caring for COVID patients,” said lead investigator Dr. Anthony Back, professor (Medical Oncology).