Psychedelic Research Group

Mission

The mission of the Trinity College Dublin & Tallaght University Hospital – Psychedelic Research Group (TTPRG) is to realise the potential of psychedelic science to address some of the individual and societal burden of mental health and substance use disorders.

How will we achieve this?

By bringing together researchers in neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, health economics, public health, and those with lived and living experience, we will advance a systems understanding of psychedelics and their therapeutic applications across biological, psychological, cognitive, environmental, and psychosocial levels.

We aim to create a patient-centred, world-class research environment for integrating psychedelic medicine within the Irish public health system. This includes advancing education, training, and innovative psychedelic research, enriched by the lived experiences of individuals. Our mission extends beyond Ireland, as we hope to contribute to a deeper understanding and broader application of psychedelic therapies globally.

Our research includes:

Publicly funded studies:

• Immuno-Psych Study: HRB-funded translational study exploring immunomodulatory properties of psychedelics. (HRB ILP-POR-2022-030)
• POSITRON Study: a randomised controlled pilot feasibility trial of psilocybin with psychological support for cocaine use disorder. (HRB DIFA-2023-005)

Industry Sponsored clinical trials:

• Compass Pathways: phase III trial to investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two administrations of COMP360 in participants with treatment-resistant depression.
• Transcend Therapeutics: phase II trial to investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of TSND-201 in participants with post-traumatic stress disorder.
• GH Research Ireland Ltd.: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2b trial with an open-label extension to determine the safety and efficacy of GH001 in patients with treatment-resistant depression

Attitudes towards Psychedelics:

• Examining online news media coverage of psilocybin as a treatment for depression from 2000 to 2023.
• Psychiatrists’ attitudes to psilocybin therapy.

Other Projects:

• Drug and alcohol-related emergency department presentations to a South Dublin hospital: A descriptive prevalence study.
• “PsyCare” in Ireland: A study of in-field peer-led support for psychological distress and substance use at Irish music events.