An Early Phase 1 interventional study of Psilocybin (drug) and Trauma-Focused Psychotherapy in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, sponsored by Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. Recruiting at 1 site in Israel. Open to participants aged 21 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-30.
Sponsored by Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center · Early Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment
This is an open-label pilot study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary clinical effects of psilocybin-enhanced trauma-focused psychotherapy in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Participants will receive a structured therapeutic protocol that includes preparatory sessions, two psilocybin administration sessions (15 mg followed by 25 mg), and integration sessions based on a trauma-focused therapeutic approach.
The primary objective of the study is to assess the safety and tolerability of psilocybin administration in this clinical population. Secondary objectives include evaluating changes in PTSD symptom severity, as measured by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5), at 30 days following treatment.
This pilot study will include 13 participants and is intended to inform the feasibility and design of a subsequent randomized controlled trial.
This study is an open-label pilot clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, and preliminary clinical effects of psilocybin-enhanced trauma-focused psychotherapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is a chronic and disabling condition characterized by intrusive symptoms, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal. Despite the availability of evidence-based psychotherapies and pharmacological treatments, a substantial proportion of patients do not achieve sufficient symptom relief, highlighting the need for novel and rapid-acting interventions.
Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic compound, has demonstrated potential therapeutic effects in a range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. When administered in a controlled therapeutic setting, psilocybin may facilitate emotional processing, cognitive flexibility, and adaptive reorganization of trauma-related memories.
In this study, psilocybin administration is combined with an integrative trauma-focused psychotherapeutic framework based on principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). ACT emphasizes psychological flexibility, acceptance, self-as-context, and values-based action, supporting individuals in changing their relationship with trauma-related internal experiences. NET complements this approach by facilitating the structured integration of traumatic memories within a coherent autobiographical narrative, embedding the traumatic experience within the broader context of the individual's life story. Together, this framework is designed to support the processing of traumatic experiences within an expanded and flexible cognitive-emotional context, promoting adaptive meaning-making and reconnection with a broader sense of self.
Participants will undergo a structured treatment protocol consisting of preparatory sessions, two psilocybin administration sessions (15 mg for the first session and 25 mg for the second session), and post-session integration sessions.
The study physician retains clinical authority to discontinue a dosing session or withdraw a participant at any time, including in the event of sustained cardiovascular distress, severe psychological distress unresponsive to support, or acute psychiatric decompensation.
The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of psilocybin administration in individuals with PTSD. Safety will be assessed through monitoring of adverse events and clinical observations throughout the study.
Secondary objectives include assessing changes in PTSD symptom severity using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) at 30 days following the intervention.
This pilot study will enroll 13 participants and is intended to provide preliminary data on feasibility, safety, and potential clinical effects to inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial.
200 studies on the registry are indexed under Combat Disorders; 90 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 13 is below the median of 72 across 167 interventional studies indexed under Combat Disorders.
Browse Combat Disorders studies →Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is the lead sponsor of 554 studies on the registry; 51 are open to participants now.
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Medically healthy at screening, as determined by a study physician, including:
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.
Studies set their own limit — many outside heart failure leave out class III–IV, while heart failure studies may ask for a particular class. Check the class this study names.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
DSM diagnostic criteria
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
NYHA class (heart failure)
The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.
Studies set their own limit — many outside heart failure leave out class III–IV, while heart failure studies may ask for a particular class. Check the class this study names.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants receive a structured clinical intervention combining preparatory psychotherapy sessions, two psilocybin dosing sessions (15 mg and 25 mg), and integration psychotherapy sessions within a trauma-focused therapeutic framework.
Drug: Psilocybin (drug) · Behavioral: Trauma-Focused Psychotherapy
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound and a prodrug of psilocin, which exerts its effects primarily through serotonergic receptor activity. In this study, psilocybin is administered orally in two dosing sessions (15 mg followed by 25 mg) in a controlled clinical setting, with a minimum interval of one week between sessions. Administration is performed by a study physician, who provides medical oversight, monitors vital signs, and evaluates acute responses. Participants are prepared through preparatory psychotherapy sessions and remain in the clinic during the acute drug effects. Each session lasts approximately six hours, after which participants are discharged following physician evaluation. Integration psychotherapy sessions follow each dosing session. After each dosing session, participants are accompanied home by a designated escort or transported by taxi to their care. The first integration psychotherapy session is held the following morning.
The psychotherapy intervention is based on an integrative trauma-focused framework combining Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy aims to facilitate emotional processing, psychological flexibility, and contextual integration of traumatic memories within a coherent autobiographical narrative. The intervention is delivered by a licensed therapist and includes two preparatory sessions, two psilocybin dosing sessions, and three integration sessions following each dosing session (six in total). Preparation focuses on therapeutic alliance and readiness for the psychedelic experience. Integration sessions support trauma processing, meaning-making, and incorporation of insights into daily functioning. The approach emphasizes flexible re-engagement with trauma-related memories while fostering a broader and more adaptive sense of self.
Number of Participants With One or More Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events
Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) are defined as any medical or psychological adverse event that begins or worsens after the first psilocybin administration. The reported outcome will be the number of participants experiencing at least one TEAE from the first dosing session through the 30-day follow-up period. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) will be identified through clinical assessments conducted by the study physician and psychologist, monitoring of vital signs (blood pressure and heart rate), participant self-reports, administration of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to assess suicidal ideation and behavior, and the Swiss Psychedelic Side Effects Inventory (SPSI) to systematically assess psychedelic-related side effects. Serious adverse events (SAEs) will be monitored, documented, and reported in accordance with the study safety reporting procedures.
Time frame: From the first psilocybin administration session through 30 days after completion of the therapeutic intervention.
Number of Participants Completing the Full Therapeutic Intervention
Feasibility and tolerability will be assessed by the number of participants who successfully complete the full therapeutic intervention, defined as completion of both psilocybin administration sessions and all protocol-required preparatory and integration psychotherapy sessions. Successful completion of the intervention reflects the feasibility of implementing the study protocol as planned and the tolerability of the intervention.
Time frame: From enrollment through completion of the 30-day follow-up assessment.
Change in PTSD Symptom Severity as Measured by CAPS-5
PTSD symptom severity will be assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). The outcome measure will reflect the change in CAPS-5 total score from baseline to 30 days after completion of the therapeutic intervention.
Time frame: Baseline to 30 days after completion of the therapeutic intervention
Plan to share: Undecided — Data sharing plans are currently under consideration. Given the pilot nature of the study, small sample size, and the sensitive nature of the data, individual participant data may be shared in a de-identified form upon reasonable request, subject to ethical approval and institutional policies.
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Studies of the drug tested here: Psilocybin
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