Scoping Review Protocol: Mapping Psilocybin Animal Research

Abstract

Research Question: What are the neurological and behavioural effects of psilocybin administered in animal studies? Objectives: To determine the effects of psilocybin in animal studies across behavioural task clusters and neurological measures and to chart: • What studies have been done. • What behavioural tests have been used. • What neurological measures have been implemented. • What dosing modalities have been used. Further, we wish to assess the quality of research to date in line with the ARRIVE animal research quality guidelines (Kilkenny, Browne, Cuthill, Emerson, & Altman, 2010) and to indicate areas for future research. Through librarian-conducted literature searches and defined inclusion criteria, the relevant number of internationally published, peer-reviewed academic articles in addition to grey area literature will be identified, and the findings charted to identify the current state of psilocybin animal study research.