Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Oral Psilocybin Administration in Healthy Participants

Psilocybin is being studied as a treatment for psychiatric and neurological disorders. After oral administration of 15, 25, or 30 mg to healthy subjects, peak psilocin concentrations averaged 11, 17, and 21 ng/mL, reached after about 2 hours, with elimination half-lives around 1.4–1.8 hours. Subjective effects lasted 5.5–6.4 hours, and maximal 'any drug' effects ranged from 58% to 80%. Psilocin showed dose-proportional pharmacokinetics, and both duration and intensity of effects were dose-dependent. Body weight did not influence pharmacokinetics or response.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psilocybin is being investigated as a potential treatment for psychiatric and neurological disorders. Only a few studies have evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of psilocybin and have used body weight‐adjusted dosing. Data on PKs and the PK‐pharmacodynamic (PD) relationship of fixed doses that are commonly used are unavailable. The present study characterized the PKs and PK‐PD relationship of 15, 25, and 30 mg of orally administered psilocybin in 28, 23, and 28 healthy subjects, respectively. Plasma levels of unconjugated psilocin (the psychoactive metabolite of psilocybin) and corresponding subjective effects were repeatedly assessed up to 24 hours. PK parameters were determined using compartmental modeling. Concentration‐subjective effect relationships were described using PK‐PD modeling. Mean (95% confidence interval) maximal psilocin concentrations were 11 ng/mL (10‐13), 17 ng/mL (16‐19), and 21 ng/mL (19‐24) after the administration of 15, 25, and 30 mg psilocybin, respectively. Maximal concentrations were reached after an average of 2 hours. Elimination half‐lives were 1.8 hours (1.7–2.0), 1.4 hours (1.2–1.7), and 1.8 hours (1.6–1.9) for 15, 25, and 30 mg psilocybin, respectively. Mean (± SD) durations of subjective effects were 5.6 ± 2.2 hours, 5.5 ± 1.6 hours, and 6.4 ± 2.2 hours, and maximal effects (“any drug” effects) were 58% ± 25%, 73% ± 27%, and 80% ± 18% after 15, 25, and 30 mg psilocybin, respectively. Psilocin exhibited dose‐proportional PKs. The duration and intensity of subjective effects were dose‐dependent. Body weight did not influence pharmacokinetics or the response to psilocybin. These data may serve as a reference for future clinical trials.