Actively Recruiting
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Physician Well-Being and Burnout: Feasibility, Safety, Clinical Effectiveness and Biomarkers of Response
Led by University of California, San Diego · Updated on 2026-01-20
10
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Physician burnout is a growing concern linked to poor mental health outcomes, with physicians experiencing higher rates than the general population. This research aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and initial effectiveness of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy (PAT) to reduce burnout symptoms in University of California, San Diego (UCSD) physicians. The study also seeks to identify brain activity changes related to response to this therapy. Participants will receive a single dose of 25 mg of psilocybin combined with psychological support therapy. The open-label trial includes preparatory therapy sessions before the psilocybin dose, followed by post-treatment integration sessions. The therapy aims to produce improvements in psychological areas affected by burnout. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including the Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index (PFI) to measure burnout symptoms from enrollment through a 12-week follow-up. Researchers will monitor safety and feasibility throughout the trial, with no masking or placebo control. Total participation duration covers the initial therapy through the follow-up period to observe lasting effects and changes in wellbeing.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Physician Well-Being and Burnout
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- UCSD faculty physician aged 21 to 70 years
- Meets criteria for physician burnout
- Experiencing burnout symptoms for more than 6 months
- Able to complete all required study visits
- Not previously diagnosed with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression
- Not currently taking psychotropic medications or medications linked to serotonin syndrome such as SSRIs, SNRIs, dextromethorphan, linezolid, tramadol, or meperidine
You will not qualify if you...
- Previous inpatient psychiatric hospitalization(s)
- Diagnosed with psychotic disorders, bipolar spectrum disorder, or severe personality disorders
- Elevated suicide risk
- First-degree family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder
- Prior exposure to psilocybin or other psychedelics within the last 10 years
- Currently pregnant, nursing, planning pregnancy, or sexually active without effective contraception in last 3 months
- Planning to donate sperm within 3 months after the study
- Known cardiovascular diseases or clinically significant arrhythmias
- History of seizure disorder
- Use of recreational illicit drugs
- Clinically concerning results from vital signs, ECG, physical exam, or lab tests during screening
- Any other significant illness posing risk to participant
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - Variable period before treatment
Participants attend preparatory therapy sessions before receiving the study treatment.
Several preparatory therapy visits
Duration - Single treatment day
Participants receive a single dose of psilocybin combined with psychedelic-assisted therapy to address physician burnout.
1 treatment visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 12 weeks after treatment
Participants attend visits for post-treatment integration and assessment of well-being and safety outcomes.
Multiple follow-up visits over 12 weeks
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UC San Diego
San Diego, California, United States, 92037
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jessie Kim
C
Cory Weissman
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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