ReconPsile Study (v1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The 5-HT2A receptor and the reconsolidation of emotional memories : An experimental medicine trial
IRAS ID
346452
Contact name
Catherine Harmer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford, Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
The purpose of this study is to help understand the role of the 5HT-2A receptor in cognitive processes, such as memory and learning. In particular, this study will explore whether 5-HT2A agonism has effects on cognition in healthy volunteers using the 5-HT2A receptor agonist, psilocybin. This study could have implications for the development of future pharmacological treatments as learning and memory processes play key roles in a number of psychiatric conditions.
This study will include healthy volunteers, who have no history of psychiatric illness. Participants will attend an initial screening call, followed by a screening visit to check that they are eligible for the study. Next, a baseline visit will be attended in order to collect baseline data across a variety of computer-based tasks and questionnaires. Participants will then be invited to return for a drug administration visit where they will have been allocated randomly to receive a single dose of 1mg (control) or 25mg (intervention) psilocybin. Following the full drug administration process (approx. 6 hours), participants will be asked to complete a number of questionnaires and computer-based tasks. Some questionnaires and tasks will also be completed 24 hours and 1 week after the dosing session. The computer-based tasks used throughout the study include those that require the recall of autobiographical memories, as well as the interpretation of emotions. Measures of cognitive functioning, stress reactivity and visual perception will also be included. Sleep monitoring will also be part of the study to further uncover the mechanism through which activity at the 5HT-2A receptor might elicit its impacts on cognition. To understand more about the role of 5-HT2A receptors in humans, a comparison will be made between task performance in the 25mg psilocybin group and 1mg psilocybin group. Psychological support will be offered at appropriate points during the study.REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0399
Date of REC Opinion
13 May 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion