Actively Recruiting
Investigation of Psychedelic Effects in Psychoactive Substances
Led by Johns Hopkins University · Updated on 2026-02-23
50
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
147 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects study is to determine whether other psychoactive substances can produce experiences akin to those seen with classic psychedelics. Screening involves a medical and psychiatric examination, including blood draw, history and physical, interviews, and questionnaires. Eligible participants will then be asked to complete up to 6 experimental drug administration session during which the participants will potentially receive and report on the subjective effects of 6 different psychoactive substances or inactive placebo. Drug assignment for some sessions will be randomized (like flipping a count or rolling a pair of dice), and both participants and study staff will be blind to the drug condition on any given day. Participants will also complete 2 preparation sessions (4 hours total) before the first experimental session, and follow-up visits after each session to discuss and debrief on the participants subjective experience.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Investigation of Psychedelic Effects in Psychoactive Substances
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Be 25 to 55 years old
- Body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 34 kg/m2
- Agree to consume about the same amount of caffeine on session mornings as usual, or avoid caffeine if not usually consumed
- Agree to avoid psychoactive drugs, including alcohol, for 24 hours before each drug session, except caffeine and nicotine
- Be healthy and psychologically stable based on medical history, physical exam, ECG, and lab tests
- Agree not to take as-needed prescription medications on session mornings unless approved by the study team
You will not qualify if you...
- Women who are pregnant, nursing, or of child-bearing potential not using effective birth control
- Cardiovascular conditions like coronary artery disease, stroke, angina, uncontrolled hypertension, or significant ECG abnormalities
- History of epilepsy or seizures
- Insulin-dependent diabetes or history of hypoglycemia if taking oral diabetes medication
- Regular use of medications affecting serotonin or MAO inhibitors; no sessions until 5 half-lives after last dose if used as needed
- Use of nonprescription or herbal supplements without study approval, except acetaminophen, NSAIDs, vitamins, and minerals
- History of moderate or severe substance use disorder with loss of control
- Active suicidal thoughts or behavior at screening
- Psychiatric disorders posing high risk for adverse effects
- First-degree relatives with schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar I or II disorders
- Participation in another clinical trial or drug use in research within 30 days prior to dosing
- Known allergy or adverse reaction to study drugs or nitroglycerin
- Use of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 inhibitors concurrently
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21218
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
Z
Zach Daily
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
3
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