Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex condition primarily characterized by anxiety-laden intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions), and repetitive behaviours. It is the fourth most common mental illness, after depression, substance abuse and specific phobias. Affecting more than 2% of people at some point in their life, OCD can be profoundly distressing and disruptive.

Psychedelics, by enhancing neuroplasticity, openness to change and psychological flexibility, may help individuals suffering from OCD to interrupt their rigid patterns of thought and behaviour.

However, there has been very limited clinical research conducted so far in order to assess the safety and efficacy of psychedelics for this condition.

The Beckley Foundation has recently joined forces with researchers led by the OCD expert Prof Luc Mallet at the Brain Institute in Paris in order to shed some light on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for the treatment of OCD.

Our first step is to conduct a completely anonymous online survey aimed at people with OCD who have taken psychedelics or related substances.

The objective of the survey is to evaluate the possible changes in OCD symptoms following the use of these substances, and will consist of 5 sections:

1. Sociodemographic

2. OCD assessment

3. Characterization of psychedelic use and experience

4. Link between OCD symptoms changes and psychedelic experiences

5. Therapeutic dimension

This survey is conducted in collaboration with:

• Cécile Pallarès, Karim N’Diaye, Prof Luc Mallet (Paris Brain Institute, France)
• Margot Morgiève (CERMES3, Paris, France)
• Pauline Smith (Georgetown University, Washigton DC)
• Vincent Verroust (Centre Alexandre-Koyré, CNRS – EHESS – MNHN; Institut des Humanités en Médecine CHUV, Lausanne; Société Psychédélique Français)
• Dr. Michael Ljuslin ( Service de Médecine Palliative, Département de Réadaptation et Gériatrie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève)
• Dr. Joao Santos (Département de Santé Mentale, HUG, Geneva)
• Dr. Benjamin Wyplosz (Hopital Bicêtre, APHP, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Société Psychédélique Française)
• The Beckley Foundation
  

Click here to find out more and take part