Psychiatric & Psychedelic Clinical Research
Psychiatric and psychedelic clinical research conducted with compassion, clinical rigor, and a deep respect for the individuals who make this work possible.
An Environment Designed for Psychedelic-Assisted Research
Psychedelic clinical trials require purpose-built environments designed to support both patient safety and strict protocol adherence. Paradigm’s specialized clinic is equipped to meet regulatory requirements for controlled substances while providing a setting that supports participant comfort during extended treatment sessions.
- Controlled study environment meeting DEA Schedule I requirements
- Private treatment room designed for extended-duration dosing sessions (6–12 hours)
- Continuous patient observation with real-time documentation
- Controlled lighting and sound to support protocol-specific conditions
- En-suite bathroom for patient convenience and safety
- Comfortable, non-clinical setting designed to support the wellbeing of participants
- Dedicated staff supporting the full arc of the participant's experience
Teams Who Understand the Human Side of Psychedelic Research
In psychiatric and psychedelic research, participant experience and data quality are directly linked. Comfort, trust, and safety during dosing sessions influence assessment reliability, protocol adherence, and study completion rates. Paradigm’s teams are trained and certified on the specialized protocols these studies require and bring deep experience supporting participants through each step — creating an environment where participants feel informed, comfortable, and well-supported.
- Certification in psychiatric and cognitive assessment tools
- Expert raters ensuring consistent, protocol-aligned clinical assessments
- Dedicated support staff providing psychological safety monitoring and guided care throughout every dosing session
- Comprehensive knowledge of psychopharmacology and investigational drug safety
- Rigorous controlled substance handling and regulatory compliance
Medical Oversight Led by Experienced Psychiatric Leadership
Our clinical capabilities support studies involving controlled psychedelic compounds across a range of psychiatric indications, including major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, and anorexia nervosa. These programs are guided by a board-certified psychiatrist and a dedicated clinical team who bring depth in both patient safety and compassionate psychiatric care — ensuring that every participant is supported medically, emotionally, and throughout the full course of their involvement in the study.
Zola Quao, MD, MHS
Principal investigator
Dr. Zola Chihombori Quao is a board-certified psychiatrist and family physician with experience spanning clinical care, translational research, and medical leadership. She has provided care across outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and residential treatment settings, working with adult, geriatric, adolescent, and justice-involved populations. Her clinical and research interests include treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, addiction treatment, and psychopharmacology.
Dr. Quao earned her MD and Master of Health Science from Yale School of Medicine and completed a combined psychiatry and family medicine residency at the University of California, Davis.
Her research background includes translational laboratory work and community-based mental health studies, including NIH- and SAMHSA-supported programs, with a focus on treatment access for patients with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders.
Diane Baas, PA-C
Sub-Investigator
Diane Baas is a board-certified physician assistant with more than 20 years of broad clinical experience across emergency medicine, primary care, and specialty settings. She has managed diverse patient populations in high-volume environments, performing patient evaluations and supporting comprehensive care across a wide range of clinical needs.
Her experience includes supporting patients with behavioral health and related conditions in both acute and outpatient settings. This background supports her role in patient monitoring, safety oversight, and day-to-day study execution in psychiatric and psychedelic clinical trials.
Planning a psychiatric study? Let’s talk about how Paradigm can support your protocol.
Curious whether a research study could be
right for you or a loved one?