USC launches groundbreaking psilocybin therapy study with mindfulness training

Researchers at the University of Southern California have launched a clinical study on psychedelic therapy using psilocybin. The project is co-led by Dr. Rael Cahn and Dr. Caryn Lerman, with support from experts in cognitive neuroimaging and music neuroscience. It forms part of ARPA-H’s EVIDENT program, which focuses on rapid changes in mental health states. The study will recruit around 72 middle-aged adults from the Los Angeles area. Participants will be split into two groups: one receiving psilocybin alone, and another receiving psilocybin combined with mindfulness meditation training. The aim is to test whether mindfulness can improve the therapy’s effectiveness.

Before and after treatment, the team will conduct detailed assessments, including EEG, MRI/fMRI scans, biological samples, and psychological tests. Psilocybin, known for altering perception, mood, and cognition, has been designated a breakthrough therapy for major depressive disorder. Follow-ups at three, six, and twelve months will track how long the benefits last.

The research is funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) through its EVIDENT initiative. Its open-label design ensures transparency while maintaining ethical and methodological standards. The study seeks to clarify the potential of psilocybin-assisted therapy, with or without mindfulness. Findings could influence future treatments for depression and other mental health conditions. The project highlights the growing interest in psychedelic research within mainstream medical science.