#openlabeltrial — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #openlabeltrial, aggregated by home.social.
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DATE: July 30, 2026 at 10:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Psilocybin-assisted therapy shows promise for veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD
A new study provides evidence that psilocybin combined with psychotherapy can safely reduce symptoms for military veterans suffering from severe, treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder. The findings suggest this approach tends to offer meaningful relief for individuals who have not responded to standard therapies. The research was recently published in the journal Communications Medicine.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly known as PTSD, is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Symptoms often include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the trauma. Patients also frequently experience avoidance behaviors and negative changes in mood. Among military veterans, this condition tends to be more severe, chronic, and difficult to treat than in the general public.
Many veterans do not respond to standard psychological therapies or traditional medications like antidepressants. This lack of effective options often leaves them with long-term disability and a heightened risk of suicide. Seeking better solutions, a research team explored the potential of psilocybin, which is the primary psychoactive compound found in certain species of mushrooms. When taken in a controlled clinical setting with psychological support, this substance induces profound alterations in perception and mood that might help individuals process traumatic memories.
The research team was led by Stacey B. Armstrong and Alan K. Davis from the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at The Ohio State University. They designed a clinical trial to evaluate whether this combined approach is safe and effective for veterans specifically. By pairing the drug with intensive psychological support, the scientists aimed to disrupt the underlying emotional maintenance processes that keep patients locked in cycles of trauma.
This new project builds on a growing foundation of previous research indicating the benefits of psychedelic treatments. For example, a previous survey study led by Davis found that psychedelics tend to increase a trait known as psychological flexibility. This concept refers to a person’s ability to stay connected to the present moment and manage difficult emotions without avoiding them. In that survey of over two thousand individuals, increases in psychological flexibility were linked to decreases in depression and anxiety.
Another previous study, authored by Armstrong, looked at 45 United States Special Operations Forces veterans who received treatments in Mexico. These veterans were given ibogaine, a compound derived from an African shrub, alongside a psychedelic substance known as 5-MeO-DMT. That research provided evidence for significant reductions in both alcohol misuse and trauma symptoms. The veterans also demonstrated notable improvements in cognitive functioning that persisted for at least six months.
Additionally, Davis recently co-authored a long-term follow-up study on patients who received psilocybin therapy for major depressive disorder. Five years after the initial clinical trial, 67 percent of the participants were still in remission from their depression. The researchers noted that the treatment seemed to fundamentally shift how patients related to their depressive symptoms. Even when patients faced new emotional hurdles, they reported that their depression felt more situational and manageable.
To test the psilocybin approach in a new group, the scientists recruited 12 military veterans for an 11-week pilot study. Each participant suffered from severe PTSD that had not responded to standard medical and psychological treatments. The group included nine men and three women, with an average age of about 38 years. Eight of the participants were married and living with a spouse.
The treatment protocol involved roughly 16 hours of psychotherapy spread across multiple visits. Participants first completed eight hours of preparation therapy to build trust with the clinicians and learn grounding techniques. The preparation phase was designed to help the veterans set intentions and mentally prepare for the intense effects of the drug.
Following the preparation phase, the veterans completed two separate dosing sessions spaced two to three weeks apart. During the first session, they received a 15-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin. In the second session, they received a higher 25-milligram dose.
Two facilitators stayed in the room for the entire eight-hour drug experience to monitor vital signs and provide emotional support. The participants were encouraged to wear eyeshades and listen to music. This setup allowed them to focus inward on their thoughts and emotions during the acute effects of the medication.
The days after each dosing session included integration therapy, where the clinicians helped the veterans process what they experienced. This step is intended to help the patients apply any psychological insights they gained to their daily lives.
The researchers found the treatment to be safe and well-tolerated by the veterans. No serious adverse events occurred at any point during the trial. The participants’ heart rates and blood pressures remained within safe limits during the dosing sessions. The most common minor side effects were mild headaches, brief anxiety, and dizziness, all of which resolved on their own.
In terms of clinical outcomes, the scientists observed large and statistically significant reductions in trauma symptoms. At a one-month follow-up assessment, 75 percent of the participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. On a standardized clinical rating scale, the average symptom severity score dropped by 27.5 points.
The research team also monitored the participants for suicidal thoughts and behaviors throughout the trial. They found no increase in suicidal ideation during the study. By the one-month follow-up, 75 percent of the veterans reported no suicidal thoughts at all, and the remaining reports were classified as passive.
The scientists also noted that the veterans showed some symptom improvement during the preparation therapy phase, even before taking the drug. This provides evidence that the psychological support itself plays a supportive role in the healing process. The researchers also tested whether the participants’ expectations for the treatment influenced their outcomes.
They found that a person’s belief in how well the therapy would work did not predict their actual symptom reduction. This suggests that the positive changes were likely driven by the treatment itself rather than by placebo expectations.
These initial findings offer a promising look at a new therapy, but there are several limitations to keep in mind. The pilot study relied on a very small sample size of only 12 participants and did not include a control group. Because everyone knew they were receiving the active drug, the expectations and the intense support provided might have influenced the outcomes. The observed symptom reductions cannot be strictly proven to be caused by the psilocybin alone.
The highly screened nature of the participants also means the results might not apply to all veterans. Individuals with a history of serious suicide attempts or specific psychotic disorders were excluded from the trial for safety reasons. The follow-up period was also limited to just one month, leaving questions about the long-term durability of these specific results.
Future research needs to include larger groups of participants who are randomly assigned to receive either the active treatment or a placebo. This type of blinded study would help clarify exactly how much of the improvement is due to the chemical effects of the drug versus the therapy itself. Scientists also hope to investigate how biological changes in the brain correspond to the psychological relief reported by the patients.
Additional trials might explore whether combining this intervention with other established psychological treatments could yield even better outcomes. Understanding how this substance interacts with different symptom profiles will help clinicians tailor the approach to individual needs. Expanding the diversity of the participants will also be necessary to ensure the therapy is safe and effective for a wider population.
The study, “Safety, feasibility, and preliminary clinical outcomes of psilocybin-assisted therapy for veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD: an open-label pilot clinical trial,” was authored by Stacey B. Armstrong, Adam W. Levin, Nathan D. Sepeda, Hillary Shaub, Taweh Hunter, Angela Douglas, Rafaelle Lancelotta, and Alan K. Davis.
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Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #PsilocybinTherapy #PTSDRecovery #VeteransHealth #MentalHealthInnovation #PsychedelicResearch #TraumaHealing # PTSDTreatment #OpenLabelTrial #PsychologicalFlexibility #SafetyFeasibility
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DATE: July 30, 2026 at 10:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Psilocybin-assisted therapy shows promise for veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD
A new study provides evidence that psilocybin combined with psychotherapy can safely reduce symptoms for military veterans suffering from severe, treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder. The findings suggest this approach tends to offer meaningful relief for individuals who have not responded to standard therapies. The research was recently published in the journal Communications Medicine.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly known as PTSD, is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Symptoms often include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the trauma. Patients also frequently experience avoidance behaviors and negative changes in mood. Among military veterans, this condition tends to be more severe, chronic, and difficult to treat than in the general public.
Many veterans do not respond to standard psychological therapies or traditional medications like antidepressants. This lack of effective options often leaves them with long-term disability and a heightened risk of suicide. Seeking better solutions, a research team explored the potential of psilocybin, which is the primary psychoactive compound found in certain species of mushrooms. When taken in a controlled clinical setting with psychological support, this substance induces profound alterations in perception and mood that might help individuals process traumatic memories.
The research team was led by Stacey B. Armstrong and Alan K. Davis from the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at The Ohio State University. They designed a clinical trial to evaluate whether this combined approach is safe and effective for veterans specifically. By pairing the drug with intensive psychological support, the scientists aimed to disrupt the underlying emotional maintenance processes that keep patients locked in cycles of trauma.
This new project builds on a growing foundation of previous research indicating the benefits of psychedelic treatments. For example, a previous survey study led by Davis found that psychedelics tend to increase a trait known as psychological flexibility. This concept refers to a person’s ability to stay connected to the present moment and manage difficult emotions without avoiding them. In that survey of over two thousand individuals, increases in psychological flexibility were linked to decreases in depression and anxiety.
Another previous study, authored by Armstrong, looked at 45 United States Special Operations Forces veterans who received treatments in Mexico. These veterans were given ibogaine, a compound derived from an African shrub, alongside a psychedelic substance known as 5-MeO-DMT. That research provided evidence for significant reductions in both alcohol misuse and trauma symptoms. The veterans also demonstrated notable improvements in cognitive functioning that persisted for at least six months.
Additionally, Davis recently co-authored a long-term follow-up study on patients who received psilocybin therapy for major depressive disorder. Five years after the initial clinical trial, 67 percent of the participants were still in remission from their depression. The researchers noted that the treatment seemed to fundamentally shift how patients related to their depressive symptoms. Even when patients faced new emotional hurdles, they reported that their depression felt more situational and manageable.
To test the psilocybin approach in a new group, the scientists recruited 12 military veterans for an 11-week pilot study. Each participant suffered from severe PTSD that had not responded to standard medical and psychological treatments. The group included nine men and three women, with an average age of about 38 years. Eight of the participants were married and living with a spouse.
The treatment protocol involved roughly 16 hours of psychotherapy spread across multiple visits. Participants first completed eight hours of preparation therapy to build trust with the clinicians and learn grounding techniques. The preparation phase was designed to help the veterans set intentions and mentally prepare for the intense effects of the drug.
Following the preparation phase, the veterans completed two separate dosing sessions spaced two to three weeks apart. During the first session, they received a 15-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin. In the second session, they received a higher 25-milligram dose.
Two facilitators stayed in the room for the entire eight-hour drug experience to monitor vital signs and provide emotional support. The participants were encouraged to wear eyeshades and listen to music. This setup allowed them to focus inward on their thoughts and emotions during the acute effects of the medication.
The days after each dosing session included integration therapy, where the clinicians helped the veterans process what they experienced. This step is intended to help the patients apply any psychological insights they gained to their daily lives.
The researchers found the treatment to be safe and well-tolerated by the veterans. No serious adverse events occurred at any point during the trial. The participants’ heart rates and blood pressures remained within safe limits during the dosing sessions. The most common minor side effects were mild headaches, brief anxiety, and dizziness, all of which resolved on their own.
In terms of clinical outcomes, the scientists observed large and statistically significant reductions in trauma symptoms. At a one-month follow-up assessment, 75 percent of the participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. On a standardized clinical rating scale, the average symptom severity score dropped by 27.5 points.
The research team also monitored the participants for suicidal thoughts and behaviors throughout the trial. They found no increase in suicidal ideation during the study. By the one-month follow-up, 75 percent of the veterans reported no suicidal thoughts at all, and the remaining reports were classified as passive.
The scientists also noted that the veterans showed some symptom improvement during the preparation therapy phase, even before taking the drug. This provides evidence that the psychological support itself plays a supportive role in the healing process. The researchers also tested whether the participants’ expectations for the treatment influenced their outcomes.
They found that a person’s belief in how well the therapy would work did not predict their actual symptom reduction. This suggests that the positive changes were likely driven by the treatment itself rather than by placebo expectations.
These initial findings offer a promising look at a new therapy, but there are several limitations to keep in mind. The pilot study relied on a very small sample size of only 12 participants and did not include a control group. Because everyone knew they were receiving the active drug, the expectations and the intense support provided might have influenced the outcomes. The observed symptom reductions cannot be strictly proven to be caused by the psilocybin alone.
The highly screened nature of the participants also means the results might not apply to all veterans. Individuals with a history of serious suicide attempts or specific psychotic disorders were excluded from the trial for safety reasons. The follow-up period was also limited to just one month, leaving questions about the long-term durability of these specific results.
Future research needs to include larger groups of participants who are randomly assigned to receive either the active treatment or a placebo. This type of blinded study would help clarify exactly how much of the improvement is due to the chemical effects of the drug versus the therapy itself. Scientists also hope to investigate how biological changes in the brain correspond to the psychological relief reported by the patients.
Additional trials might explore whether combining this intervention with other established psychological treatments could yield even better outcomes. Understanding how this substance interacts with different symptom profiles will help clinicians tailor the approach to individual needs. Expanding the diversity of the participants will also be necessary to ensure the therapy is safe and effective for a wider population.
The study, “Safety, feasibility, and preliminary clinical outcomes of psilocybin-assisted therapy for veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD: an open-label pilot clinical trial,” was authored by Stacey B. Armstrong, Adam W. Levin, Nathan D. Sepeda, Hillary Shaub, Taweh Hunter, Angela Douglas, Rafaelle Lancelotta, and Alan K. Davis.
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #PsilocybinTherapy #PTSDRecovery #VeteransHealth #MentalHealthInnovation #PsychedelicResearch #TraumaHealing # PTSDTreatment #OpenLabelTrial #PsychologicalFlexibility #SafetyFeasibility