The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center is joining a national clinical trial testing psilocybin as a treatment for major depression in veterans, including those also living with PTSD.
For the unfamiliar, psilocybin is a natural psychoactive compound found in some mushroom species. It is a federally illegal Schedule 1 controlled substance, but it is being studied in controlled settings for treating some mental illnesses.
According to a Monday press release from the VA, the trial is titled Psilocybin Intervention for Veterans Overcoming Treatment-Resistant Depression, or PIVOT, and will enroll veterans diagnosed with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.
Patients will be prescribed two dosages of psilocybin, and their results will be compared against each other. Researchers will measure depression levels before and after treatment, assess PTSD symptom severity, and track tolerability of side effects.
The trial follows an April executive order on accelerating medical treatments for serious mental illness, which aims to increase clinical trial participation and speed up research on psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD.
The FDA has granted breakthrough therapy designation to several companies, allowing them to develop and research psychedelic substances.
“Tuscaloosa VA is committed to exploring every evidence-based avenue to improve the mental health and well-being of the Veterans we serve,” said Dr. Maisha Moore, Interim Medical Center Director of Tuscaloosa VA. “By participating in this trial, our facility is helping advance innovative research into new treatment options that may offer meaningful relief for Veterans, both here in West Alabama and across the country.”
Investigational treatments will be administered in a controlled clinical setting using pharmaceutical-grade drugs under FDA-developed safety protocols and with psychological support in place throughout.
The VA strongly discourages self-medicating or replacing existing mental health treatments with psychedelics or other unprescribed substances.
Veterans are encouraged to consult their health care providers before making any treatment decisions. For more information, contact Tuscaloosa VA Public Affairs at VHATUAPublicAffairs@va.gov or 205-554-2000, extension 3544.
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