Psilocybin and Motor Function: A Triple-Blind, Dose-Finding Study in Healthy Participants

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychopharmacology
• Motor Control

Background:

• Research into psychedelic therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disorders is growing.
• Classic psychedelics like psilocybin impact cognition, but motor function effects are unknown.
• Psychedelics may aid motor retraining in conditions with motor dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility and safety of motor tasks during psilocybin's acute effects.
• To understand psilocybin's impact on motor function in healthy individuals.
• To inform future psychedelic-assisted motor retraining studies.

Main Methods:

• 12 healthy participants received blinded, randomized psilocybin doses (5-20 mg) at least 1 week apart.
• Motor function was assessed during acute drug effects.
• Safety, brain activity (fMRI), and subjective experiences were also measured.

Main Results:

• This section is not yet available as the study is a protocol.
• The study protocol is designed to gather data on motor performance under psilocybin.
• Results will elucidate the relationship between psilocybin and motor control.

Conclusions:

• This study protocol is the first to examine motor task performance during psilocybin's acute effects.
• Findings will advance understanding of psychedelics' motor impact.
• This research will guide future clinical trials combining psychedelics and motor retraining.