Computer Game, Qualitative, and MEG/EEG Assessment of Serotonergic Psychedelics
Sponsored by Yale University
About This Study
The goal of this observational study is to learn how the brain's information processing changes during and following administration of serotonergic psychedelics (psilocybin, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine/DMT, Lystergic Acid Diethylamide/LSD, etc.) for people with and without mental illness receiving serotonergic psychedelics through any clinical trial at Yale University. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Do serotonergic psychedelics cause the brain to rely on new information more than previously learned information while under the influence? What about 1 day, 5-14 days, and 4-6 weeks after use? 2. Do serotonergic psychedelics cause long-lasting side-effects in how people perceive (see, hear, feel, etc.) the world and how easily people change their beliefs? 3. How does the brain's electrical activity change after using serotonergic psychedelics? How does the balance between excitation and inhibition change while under their effect? 4. Can changes in how the brain uses information predict who will benefit from a psychedelic and who will have side effects from psychedelics? Researchers will compare with people given placebos to see what changes in brain processing are unique to serotonergic psychedelics. Participants will have the opportunity to do some combination of the following: 1. Online computer assessments consisting of games and questionnaires that probe how participants think. 2. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) or electroencephalography (EEG) with eyes closed and with repeated clicks, images, or sensations delivered. 3. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. 4. Semi-structured qualitative interviews about their experience after taking a serotonergic psychedelic recorded via Zoom.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- •Serotonergic Psychedelic
- •Placebo
Eligibility
View full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participation in approved clinical protocol at Yale University involving potential administration of serotonergic psychedelics * Absence of pre-existing psychotic symptoms Exclusion Criteria: * Current intoxication based on self-report * Any neurological, medical or developmental problem that is known to impair cognition significantly based on self-report * History of seizures based on self-report * Contraindications for MR scanning including metallic implants of any kind, pacemakers and history of accidents with metal, claustrophobia (specific to those who will participate in MRI)