A clinical trial led by The University of Western Australia is evaluating the safety and efficiency of a psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy program.

Professor Sean Hood, a psychiatrist from UWA’s Medical School, said the natural compound was being administered to patients in two separate doses, three weeks apart, in conjunction with psychotherapy sessions.

“The trial aims to see whether having a loved one involved in the program is a more effective treatment,” Professor Hood said.

“There are two groups, the first take psilocybin in the presence of psychiatrists and psychologists and are supported by a family member in non-medication sessions.

“The second group have the drug with psychiatrist and psychologists present but have no formal family involvement.”

The participants who were chosen to be part of the trial have a treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and have previously undergone at least two medical treatments.

The study will assess improvement in the patient’s level of depression and measure the impact of the trial on the significant other.

“The patients are treated over a seven-week period with two therapists present for six hours after they have taken psilocybin,” Professor Hood said.

“To evaluate the depression response rate, the patients will be assessed at seven weeks and then at six and 12 months.”

The trial is being undertaken in collaboration with Edith Cowan University and Fiona Stanley Hospital and is funded by Reset Mind Sciences and follows the guidelines of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

The study is prioritising patients living in the South Metropolitan Health Service catchment area and participants must be aged between 18 and 64 years of age. A referral by a doctor or psychiatrist is also required.

Expressions of interest to participate in the trial can be sent to Mindset.