Psilocybin for the Treatment of Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The objective of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of psilocybin assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of Veterans with PTSD.

This study will recruit 15 United States Military Veterans, age 21 to 64, primarily from the Columbus and Central Ohio Region who meet the criteria for PTSD. After enrollment and informed consent, participants will receive two separate doses of psilocybin in conjunction with preparatory and post-psilocybin therapy sessions. Follow-up visits will occur up to 6 months after the final psilocybin session, with additional contact hours scheduled as needed. Thus, the intervention and follow-up requires at least 13 visits over a period of about 8-10 months.

If you are interested in being considered for this study, please complete the online screening form via the button above.

Ibogaine Patient Survey

The objective of this study is to obtain real-world evidence (RWE) on the safety and effectiveness of the plant-based medicine, ibogaine, as an addiction treatment. In collaboration with researchers from Nova Southeastern University, we are developing an online survey tool to capture RWE from volunteer respondents on their use of ibogaine as an addiction therapy to advance an FDA ibogaine drug development program. The registry is designed to generate the critical scientific assessments and patient-reported outcomes needed to optimize physician and patient use of ibogaine. Furthermore, it will be used to assess changes in the offshore use of ibogaine as an addiction treatment option as opioid use disorder management approaches evolve toward more access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in the US.  

Survey of acceptability of MDMA therapy for adolescents among clinical social workers

The objective of this study is to explore the acceptability and feasibility of PAT for adolescents among social workers who work with adolescents. It is expected that once the FDA approves MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapy, the benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) for other populations, such as adolescents, will be considered. The results from this study will provide the early data needed to design education and training materials, allow for protocol development to recruit youth into PAT clinical trials, and set a foundation for how this discipline can adopt this treatment once approved.

VETS Program Evaluation Study

Veterans are facing a mental health crisis and alarming increase in suicides, and recent evidence suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy can effectively treat the complex conditions many Veterans experience, including symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, anger, and post-concussive symptoms. 

The primary objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of the effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy among Veterans, who seek treatment across multiple clinical settings and use a variety of psychedelic therapies. In collaboration with Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), we have designed a prospective program evaluation survey to study these effects.

Longitudinal examination of passion for cannabis use among college undergraduate students with and without a cannabis use disorder

This study aims to evaluate the Dualistic Model of Passion (DMP) as a predictor of future cannabis use, use-related consequences, and cannabis use disorder (CUD) symptoms. It also aims to examine the incremental validity of the DMP when included in a model using established constructions as a predictor of future cannabis use and related consequences, and determine whether passion for cannabis use is prospectively associated with academic performance, relationship attachment style, and social connectedness. 

This paper is currently under review with Yitong Xin leading a secondary paper examining passion and motive for alcohol use and how it relates to alcohol use consequences and symptoms among college students who consume cannabis.

A Longitudinal Study of Resilience Among Participants Attending Ayahuasca Retreats

This study aims to (1) Explore the effect of baseline (T1) resilience on acute challenging effects of ayahuasca reported at the end of the retreat experience (T2); (2) Assess whether the baseline resilience moderates the relationship between acute challenging ayahuasca effects reported at T2 and psychospiritual outcomes reported one-month post-retreat (T3); (3) Examine the potentially additive relationships between challenging effects and other acute effects of ayahuasca (e.g., mystical, insight, emotional breakthrough) reported at T2 and psychospiritual outcomes reported at T3.

Data collection is ongoing with 314 completed screening surveyes, 246 participants enrolled, 215 completed T1 survey, 185 completed T2 survey, and 150 completed T3 survey. 150 participants completed all surveys longitudinally. Data collection is expected to end in August 2023.

Exploring Transgender and Gender Expansive Psychedelic Experiences

Transgender and gender expansive (TGE) individuals experience high levels of marginalization and discrimination based on their identity which is associated with increased mental health issues. Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has the potential to benefit the TGE community and increase TGE well-being. PAT protocols can be informed by psychedelic use in naturalistic settings, and psychedelic experiences occurring in the community may have the unique ability to contextualize how psychedelics may interact with gender identity development and affirmation. This study will conduct 20 in-depth semi-structured interviews of TGE individuals. Key areas of interest include psychedelic use, gender & psychedelics, psychedelics & mental health, race, ethnicity & culture, and ideas for PAT.