The administration of psilocybin to healthy, hallucinogen-experienced volunteers in a mock-functional magnetic resonance imaging environment: a preliminary investigation of tolerability
Ben Sessa, Amanda Feilding, Robin Carhart‐Harris, Tom A. Williams, Robin J. Tyacke, Ann Rich, David Nutt
Journal of Psychopharmacology April 15, 2010 DOI: 10.1177/0269881110367445 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractUp to 2 mg of psilocybin administered as a slow intravenous injection to healthy, hallucinogen-experienced volunteers in a mock-MRI environment produces short-lived but typical drug effects that are psychologically and physiologically well tolerated. The pilot work supports the viability of using functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate psilocybin's effects on cerebral blood flow and activity.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Healthy, hallucinogen-experienced volunteers |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | up to 2 mg |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Tolerability Magnetic resonance imaging Psychology |
| Citations | 53 |
| Key finding | Up to 2 mg of intravenously administered psilocybin is well tolerated and supports the viability of functional magnetic resonance imaging work with psilocybin. |
Abstract
This study sought to assess the tolerability of intravenously administered psilocybin in healthy, hallucinogen-experienced volunteers in a mock-magnetic resonance imaging environment as a preliminary stage to a controlled investigation using functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore the effects of psilocybin on cerebral blood flow and activity. The present pilot study demonstrated that up to 2 mg of psilocybin delivered as a slow intravenous injection produces short-lived but typical drug effects that are psychologically and physiologically well tolerated. With appropriate care, this study supports the viability of functional magnetic resonance imaging work with psilocybin.