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Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military Veterans: A Pilot Feasibility Study
EU CTIS ID: 2025-521488-11-00
What this study is testing
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effect of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for veterans with treatment-refractory PTSD.
- Therapeutic exploratory (Phase II)
A plain-language read of the study's public EU CTIS listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
You may be able to join if
- Participants are between 18 and 70 years old at the time of signing the informed consent.
- At Screening, meet DSM-5 criteria for current PTSD with a symptom duration of at least 6 months.
- At Screening, have a PCL-5 score of 40 or greater (i.e., moderate to severe PTSD).
- At Screening, meet the definition of treatment-refractory PTSD, defined as having had at least two evidence-based treatments, of which at least one was a trauma-focused psychotherapy consisting of at least 8 treatment sessions.
- Is a veteran of the Dutch Armed Forces.
You likely can't join if
- Have current cluster A- or B personality disorders.
- Have uncontrolled severe hypertension, defined as confirmed (repeat office and/or out-of-office) blood pressure consistent with grade 2–3 hypertension (office systolic ≥160 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥100 mmHg), or grade 1 hypertension in combination with other cardiovascular risk factors, resulting in an increased cardiovascular risk profile according to the 2023 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guideline risk stratification. Blood pressure status may be confirmed by repeated clinic measurements or home/ambulatory blood pressure monitoring if clinically indicated. Participants with well-controlled hypertension that has been successfully treated with anti-hypertensive medicines may be enrolled.
- Have a history of any medical condition that could make receiving a psilocybin harmful because of temporary increases in blood pressure and heart rate. This includes, but is not limited to cerebrovascular accident, heart failure, or unstable insulin-dependent diabetes.
- Have a history of, or a current primary psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder type 1, or major depressive disorder with psychotic features.
- Has a first degree relative with schizophrenia, psychotic disorder (unless substance induced or due to a medical condition), or bipolar I disorder.
- Have current anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
See the full eligibility criteria
Who can join
- Participants are between 18 and 70 years old at the time of signing the informed consent.
- At Screening, meet DSM-5 criteria for current PTSD with a symptom duration of at least 6 months.
- At Screening, have a PCL-5 score of 40 or greater (i.e., moderate to severe PTSD).
- At Screening, meet the definition of treatment-refractory PTSD, defined as having had at least two evidence-based treatments, of which at least one was a trauma-focused psychotherapy consisting of at least 8 treatment sessions.
- Is a veteran of the Dutch Armed Forces.
What rules you out
- Have current cluster A- or B personality disorders.
- Have uncontrolled severe hypertension, defined as confirmed (repeat office and/or out-of-office) blood pressure consistent with grade 2–3 hypertension (office systolic ≥160 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥100 mmHg), or grade 1 hypertension in combination with other cardiovascular risk factors, resulting in an increased cardiovascular risk profile according to the 2023 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guideline risk stratification. Blood pressure status may be confirmed by repeated clinic measurements or home/ambulatory blood pressure monitoring if clinically indicated. Participants with well-controlled hypertension that has been successfully treated with anti-hypertensive medicines may be enrolled.
- Have a history of any medical condition that could make receiving a psilocybin harmful because of temporary increases in blood pressure and heart rate. This includes, but is not limited to cerebrovascular accident, heart failure, or unstable insulin-dependent diabetes.
- Have a history of, or a current primary psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder type 1, or major depressive disorder with psychotic features.
- Has a first degree relative with schizophrenia, psychotic disorder (unless substance induced or due to a medical condition), or bipolar I disorder.
- Have current anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
- Have current dissociative identity disorder.
- Have a current: a) Severe alcohol or cannabis use disorder (meets at least 6 of 11 diagnostic criteria per DSM-5) within the 12 months prior to enrollment; b) Moderate alcohol or cannabis use disorder (4 or 5 of 11 diagnostic criteria per DSM-5) within the 12 months prior to enrollment, unless in early remission (i.e., at least 3 months without symptoms, with the exceptions of possible craving/urge to use); Mild alcohol or cannabis use disorder is not an exclusion criterion (2 or 3 of 11 diagnostic criteria per DSM-5).
- Have an illicit drug (other than cannabis) or prescription drug substance use disorder at any severity within 12 months prior to enrollment.
- Any participant presenting current serious suicide risk, as determined through screening interview, responses to C-SSRS, and clinical judgment will be excluded; however, history of suicide attempts is not an exclusion. Any participant who is likely to require hospitalization related to suicidal ideation and behavior will not be enrolled. Any participant presenting with the following on the baseline/screening C-SSRS will be excluded: a) Suicidal ideation score of 4 or greater within the last month of the assessment at a frequency of once a week or more. b) Suicidal ideation score of 5 within the last 6 months of the assessment. c) Any suicidal behavior, including suicide attempts or preparatory acts, within the last 6 months of the assessment. Participants with non-suicidal self-injurious behavior may be included if approved by the study physician.
- Have a current history of one of the following cardiovascular conditions: a) coronary artery disease, congenital long QT syndrome (prior diagnosis), cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac ischemia, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction (prior diagnosis); b) tachycardia (defined as heart rate > 100 beats per minute); c) clinically significant Screening ECG abnormality (including, but not limited to, atrial fibrillation, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, ventricular tachycardia), Note: A QTcF interval > 450 milliseconds is considered a clinically significant ECG abnormality; d) artificial heart valve; e) additional risk factors for Torsade de pointes (e.g., heart failure, hypokalemia, family history of Long QT Syndrome); f) any other significant current or history of cardiovascular condition, based on the clinical judgment of the study physician, that would make a participant unsuitable for the study.
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This listing doesn't specify compensation. Many trials still reimburse travel or offer a stipend, so it's worth asking the study team when you connect.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part - confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The listing doesn't state an exact length. The study team walks you through the schedule and number of visits before you decide to enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 18-64 years, 65+ years. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from EU CTIS; the study team decides eligibility.