NYU Langone Health in the News— February 12, 2024
At NYU Langone, our experts are frequently featured in various media outlets to share their skills and knowledge. See the stories from February 12, 2024.
5-HT2A Agonist Psilocybin in the Treatment of Tobacco Use Disorder
The purpose of this double-blind randomized study is to explore the efficacy of psilocybin (5-HT2A receptor agonist psilocybin) as a smoking cessation treatment. In this study participants will be randomized to receive either: psilocybin; 30 mg in session 1 and either 30 or 40 mg in session 2, with sessions 1 week apart; or niacin; 100 mg in session 1 and either 100 mg or 200 mg in session 2, with sessions 1 week apart Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) will be administered to both groups and will allow us to test psilocybin’s efficacy above and beyond an established treatment approach. The total study duration will be approximately 12 months after screening and enrollment, and include roughly 14 in-person visits for screening, study intervention, psilocybin sessions, and follow-up meetings.
A Phase 2b Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Multi-center study of the Effects of Psilocybin-assisted Psychotherapy on Psychiatric and Existential Distress in Advanced Cancer
The purpose of this research is to study the safety and effects of single-dose psilocybin 25mg versus an active placebo (single dose niacin 100mg) in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and existential distress (i.e., loss of meaning and hope; fear of death) in advanced cancer (i.e., stage 3 or 4). Study medications will be administered in conjunction with brief psychotherapy that is designed to treat anxiety, depression and existential distress in advanced cancer. Participant involvement will be ~6.5 months from consent, enrollment, and randomization to the final integrative session. There will be preparatory and post-drug integration sessions for both groups. The manualized structure of preparatory and integrative sessions is identical for both study arms.