A world-first clinical trial studying the use of the active ingredient in magic mushrooms to treat anxiety disorder is making progress, according to the ASX-listed healthcare company funding it.
Melbourne-based Incannex Healthcare said on Wednesday that 29 patients had completed the 10-week program, in which they were given either psilocybin or active placebo over two dosing sessions.
A total of 45 patients with generalised anxiety disorder are enrolled in the phase two trial being conducted at Monash University’s BrainPark, which is seeking to eventually enrol 72 anxiety patients to complete the study.
“The PsiGAD1 trial is supported by a fantastic team of researchers and clinicians and has been an intensive and gratifying project to lead,” principal investor Dr Paul Liknaitzky was quoted as saying in the announcement.
An independent Data Safety Monitoring Board is now examining the interim data to see if the trial should proceed further, a routine precaution in clinical trials.
To date no safety concerns have been raised by the trial team, and no patients have dropped out of the study, Incannex said.
An estimated three per cent of Australians suffer in any given year from generalised anxiety disorder, defined as an uncontrollable and persistent worry that affects their day-to-day life.
The study is part of a wave of global interest in examining how long do magic mushrooms last psychedelics might be used to treat mental health disorders including depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Incannex said it expects to hear a report by the Data Safety Monitoring board in March.
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