Effects of Psilocybin on Behavior, Psychology and Brain Function in Long-term Meditators

Exclusion Criteria

• •Women who are pregnant (as indicated by a positive urine pregnancy test assessed at intake and before each drug session) or nursing; women who are of child-bearing potential and sexually active who are not practicing an effective means of birth control.
• •Cardiovascular conditions: coronary artery disease, stroke, angina, uncontrolled hypertension, a clinically significant ECG abnormality (e.g., atrial fibrilation), or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) in the past year
• •Epilepsy with history of seizures
• •Insulin-dependent diabetes; if taking oral hypoglycemic agent, then no history of hypoglycemia
• •Currently taking psychoactive prescription medication on a regular (e.g., daily) basis
• •Currently taking on a regular (e.g., daily) basis any medications having a primary centrally-acting pharmacological effect on serotonin neurons or medications that are Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. For individuals who have intermittent or PRN use of such medications, psilocybin sessions will not be conducted until at least 5 half-lives of the agent have elapsed after the last dose.
• •More than 20% outside the upper or lower range of ideal body weight according to Metropolitan Life height and weight table
• •Head trauma
• •Claustrophobia
• •Cardiac pacemaker
• •Implanted cardiac defibrillator
• •Aneurysm brain clip
• •Inner ear implant
• •Artificial heart valve (last 6 weeks)
• •Prior history as a metal worker and/or certain metallic objects in the body
• •Current or past history of meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-IV criteria for Schizophrenia, Psychotic Disorder (unless substance-induced or due to a medical condition), or Bipolar I or II Disorder
• •Current or past history within the last 5 years of meeting DSM-IV criteria for alcohol or drug dependence (excluding caffeine and nicotine) or severe major depression
• •Have a first or second-degree relative with Schizophrenia, Psychotic Disorder (unless substance induced or due to a medical condition), or Bipolar I or II Disorder
• •Has a psychiatric condition judged to be incompatible with establishment of rapport or safe exposure to psilocybin