Computer Game, Qualitative, and MEG/​EEG Assessment of Serotonergic Psychedelics

This observational study (n=200) will examine how the brain’s information processing changes during and after the administration of serotonergic psychedelics, including psilocybin, DMT, and LSD, in individuals with and without mental illness who are receiving these substances through clinical trials at Yale University.

The study aims to determine whether psychedelics shift the brain’s reliance towards new information rather than previously learned information and whether these effects persist in the days and weeks following use. It will also explore the potential long-term side effects on perception and belief updating, as well as changes in brain activity, particularly the balance between excitation and inhibition.

Participants will undergo computer-based cognitive assessments, magnetoencephalography (MEG) or electroencephalography (EEG), MRI scans, and qualitative interviews at multiple time points before and after psychedelic administration. The study will compare these changes to those observed in participants receiving a placebo.

Trial Details

The goal of this observational study is to learn how the brain's information processing changes during and following administration of serotonergic psychedelics (psilocybin, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine/DMT, Lystergic Acid Diethylamide/LSD, etc.) for people with and without mental illness receiving serotonergic psychedelics through any clinical trial at Yale University. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do serotonergic psychedelics cause the brain to rely on new information more than previously learned information while under the influence? What about 1 day, 5-14 days, and 4-6 weeks after use? Do serotonergic psychedelics cause long-lasting side-effects in how people perceive (see, hear, feel, etc.) the world and how easily people change their beliefs? How does the brain's electrical activity change after using serotonergic psychedelics? How does the balance between excitation and inhibition change while under their effect? Can changes in how the brain uses information predict who will benefit from a psychedelic and who will have side effects from psychedelics? Researchers will compare with people given placebos to see what changes in brain processing are unique to serotonergic psychedelics. Participants will have the opportunity to do some combination of the following: Online computer assessments consisting of games and questionnaires that probe how participants think. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) or electroencephalography (EEG) with eyes closed and with repeated clicks, images, or sensations delivered. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Semi-structured qualitative interviews about their experience after taking a serotonergic psychedelic recorded via Zoom.

Trial Number NCT06624137

Data attribution

A large set of the trials in our database are sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (CTG). We have modified these post to display the information in a more clear format or to correct spelling mistakes. Our database in actively updated and may show a different status (e.g. completed) if we have knowledge of this update (e.g. a published paper on the study) which isn't reflected yet on CTG. If a trial is not sourced from CTG, this is indicated on this page and you can follow the link to the alternative source of information.