Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Physician Well-Being and Burnout

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · Feb 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy to help doctors at UCSD who are experiencing burnout. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, and this study aims to see if this therapy can reduce those symptoms. The trial will include a small group of UCSD faculty physicians aged 21 to 70 who have been feeling burnt out for more than six months and who do not have a history of serious mental health issues or substance use disorders.

Participants in this trial can expect to undergo a series of therapy sessions that include the use of psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound found in certain mushrooms, alongside traditional therapeutic support. It’s important to note that this study is not yet recruiting participants, and those interested will need to meet specific criteria, such as being a faculty physician at UCSD and having experienced burnout symptoms for an extended period. Safety measures are also in place to ensure that individuals with certain health conditions or those taking specific medications are not included, helping to protect the well-being of all participants.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. UCSD faculty physician, aged 21-70. Volunteer faculty are not included
• • 2. Meets criteria for physician burnout
• • 3. Experiencing symptoms of burnout for \>6 months
• • 4. Able to complete all required study visits
• • 5. Not previously diagnosed with a serious mental illness (including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression), or substance use disorder as confirmed in clinical interview
• • 6. Not currently taking any psychotropic medications or nonpsychotropic medication that may be associated with serotonin syndrome, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI or SNRI), dextromethorphan, linezolid, tramadol, meperidine
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Previous inpatient psychiatric hospitalization(s)
• • 2. Previously diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or other psychotic spectrum disorder), bipolar spectrum disorder, personality disorder (borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or other severe personality disorders), any severe psychiatric disorder.
• • 3. Exhibiting elevated suicide risk
• • 4. First degree family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder
• • 5. Prior exposure to psilocybin or other psychedelic compounds in the previous 10 years
• • 6. Currently pregnant, nursing, planning pregnancy, engaging in sexual intercourse without effective contraceptive method in last three months
• • 7. Those who plan to donate sperm within three months following the study.
• • 8. Known cardiovascular disease including history of stroke, myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension, valvular heart disease, tachycardia, elongated QT interval, or clinically significant arrythmia.
• • 9. History of seizure disorder
• • 10. Use of recreational illicit drugs
• • 11. Clinically concerning results from vital signs, ECG, physical examination, or laboratory tests during screening
• • 12. Any other clinically significant illnesses deemed to pose risk for the participant