The administration of psilocybin to healthy, hallucinogen-experienced volunteers in a mock-functional magnetic resonance imaging environment: a preliminary investigation of tolerability
Journal of Psychopharmacology – April 15, 2010
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Intravenous psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, is remarkably well-tolerated in a simulated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment. This crucial finding in pharmacology and medicine enables advanced neuroscience. Up to 2 mg of psilocybin, an alkaloid from chemical synthesis, produced short-lived, typical effects that were psychologically and physiologically well-tolerated by healthy, hallucinogen-experienced volunteers. Demonstrating such tolerability supports future functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies exploring brain activity. These psychedelic drug studies, relevant to psychology, anesthesia, and complementary and alternative medicine, advance our understanding.
Abstract
This study sought to assess the tolerability of intravenously administered psilocybin in healthy, hallucinogen-experienced volunteers in a mock-magnetic resonance imaging environment as a preliminary stage to a controlled investigation using functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore the effects of psilocybin on cerebral blood flow and activity. The present pilot study demonstrated that up to 2 mg of psilocybin delivered as a slow intravenous injection produces short-lived but typical drug effects that are psychologically and physiologically well tolerated. With appropriate care, this study supports the viability of functional magnetic resonance imaging work with psilocybin.