Our work

Established in 2020, our lab at Monash is the first of its kind in Australia, leading the development and implementation of psychedelic therapies. The lab has played a central role in establishing the field of clinical psychedelic research in Australia.

We’re a multidisciplinary team of clinical research scientists, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, nurses, ethicists, statisticians, social scientists, lived-experience advisors, and students.

Led by Dr Paul Liknaitzky, the Clinical Psychedelic Lab has the largest and most experienced group of psychedelic scientists, clinicians, and trainers in the country.

Our work is focused on expanding psychedelic treatment into new indications, exploring synergies between psychedelics and various psychotherapeutic and behavioural interventions, investigating therapeutic mechanisms, predicting clinical response, exploring and mitigating under-examined risks, translating evidence into best clinical practice, delivering next-generation therapist training, assessing cost-effectiveness, and improving access and affordability.

Our research occurs at our purpose-built CPL research facility, a psychedelic research platform that is unparalleled in its ability to support this unique form of treatment.

The Clinical Psychedelic Lab is uniquely positioned to implement leading edge psychedelic treatment combined with evidence-based psychotherapeutic and behavioural interventions within a seamless, patient-focused, and highly conducive environment.

We are part of the Department of Psychiatry within the School of Clinical Sciences.

What is psychedelic-assisted therapy?

Highlighted studies

Click to expand each study below.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterised by excessive anxiety and worry. GAD is a relatively common disorder (about 4-6% lifetime prevalence in Australia) that has generally poor treatment outcomes. Within recent trials, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy led to reductions in anxiety symptoms associated with terminal cancer diagnoses. This clinical trial is a world first testing psilocybin-assisted therapy in the treatment of a primary anxiety disorder. With 72 participants, this investigator-initiated trial sponsored by Monash University is the largest psychedelic trial in Australia to date. It a well-controlled study (triple-blind, active placebo) that includes a range of treatment innovations and the development of a specialised therapist training program, with funding from Incannex Healthcare Ltd.
Psychedelic drugs can induce states of consciousness that are often reported to be remarkable, moving, beneficial, and difficult to describe. Clinical participants also report very challenging experiences that, when well supported, are felt to be highly valuable by the participant. It is essential that participants are supported by skilled and empathic therapists with specialist training. The Psi-GAD-1 therapist training program will incorporate a world-first option for trial therapists to receive psilocybin under supportive conditions. Previous research suggests that psychedelic therapist training can be substantially enhanced if therapists have the opportunity to experience well-supported psychedelic effects, enhancing their ability to accompany clinical participants through profoundly unfamiliar terrain, and thereby improving treatment outcomes. The impact of this aspect of training will be scientifically investigated from the perspectives of both therapist and clinical participant.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition linked to substantial distress, low quality of life, and increased suicidality. The risk of developing PTSD increases with repeated exposure to potentially traumatic incidents, and substantial rates of PTSD occur in occupations where such incidents are commonly encountered (e.g. military veterans and first responders). The use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in combination with psychotherapy has been shown to have promising safety and efficacy for treating intractable PTSD in previous trials. With philanthropic support from Dr Strauss and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), this Monash-sponsored trial with 24 participants will examine the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treating PTSD in Australian military veterans and first responders.
Depression is a serious mental health disorder that affects over 300 million people Worldwide. Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have not responded adequately to 2 or more antidepressant medications can be considered to have treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Approximately 30-40% of patients with MDD have TRD and experience a significantly lower quality of life, increased suicidality, and impaired productivity. Preliminary and anecdotal evidence suggest that 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), a naturally occurring psychedelic, may have the potential to treat depression. This trial is part of a large international multi-site trial sponsored by Beckley Psytech Ltd, and will examine the safety and efficacy of 5-MeO-DMT-assisted therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression.
In recent, well-controlled studies, psychedelic compounds have shown promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of a variety of mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety associated with terminal illness, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorders. While the mechanisms of this therapy are not fully understood, available evidence suggests that certain subjective elements of the psychedelic experience appear to be linked to therapeutic outcomes. However, subjective effects remain poorly characterised. We have developed three new measures to probe commonly reported aspects of psychedelic experience and outcomes that may have clinical relevance. This study will investigate a number of questions regarding therapeutic mechanism, and validate new scales in an online sample before implementing them within our clinical trials.
Recruitment for this study has closed. Thanks to all participants who took part.
FIFO-PAT-201 is a Monash University-sponsored clinical trial testing a new Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO) model of psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) for Major Depressive Disorder. Building on growing evidence for PAT in depression, including FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designations, this trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of delivering a PAT treatment program in a community clinic, and in collaboration with participants’ usual-care therapists. This trial aims to make PAT more accessible, clinically-integrated, and cost-effective within mental health services. Please note: this study does not have open recruitment, all participants will be recruited through the partner psychology clinic; participants are not able to join the clinic in order to access this trial.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of disability worldwide and results in significant personal, economic, and societal costs. While multiple medications and psychological treatments are available, up to 30% of patients do not respond to first-line therapies. This Phase 3 trial will investigate the safety and efficacy of psilocin, the active metabolite of psilocybin, as an adjunctive treatment for MDD. Sponsored by Cybin IRL Ltd, this large international multi-site trial aims to explore whether psilocin-assisted therapy can offer a new, effective treatment option for people living with MDD.

Upcoming studies

Further psychedelic studies and other projects are being established or in advanced planning. To learn more about how you can be a part of accelerating this groundbreaking research, please visit the Support us page.

Please visit our Participants page for current and upcoming study details and participation.