OCD Research and Treatment: 5 Promising UK Trials

Introduction: A Story of Hope

I’ll never forget Sean.

He was one of my clients here in Edinburgh. He walked into my therapy room carrying a sense of defeat so heavy you could almost see it. He’d tried therapy before. He’d taken medications. Still, his OCD latched onto anything and everything, spinning his mind into endless loops.

One day, after an intense ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) session where we’d faced some of his scariest triggers together, he sat back and asked me:

“Federico… do you think there will ever be something new? Like… better treatments that actually work faster?”

His question stuck with me. And honestly? He’s not alone. Nearly 1.2% of the UK population lives with OCD (NHS Digital, 2022). Many wonder if research is catching up to their daily struggles.

So, I did what I always do – I dug into the research. As a CBT therapist specialising in OCD treatment, I genuinely believe that staying updated with promising trials gives us hope and real options.

Today, I want to share with you what’s happening right now in OCD research and treatment across the UK. And trust me, some of these trials might surprise you.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

Why OCD Research Matters More Than Ever

The Treatment Gap in OCD

Here’s what I think is shocking.

Despite therapy and medication being available for decades, up to 40-60% of OCD sufferers don’t achieve full remission (Fineberg et al., 2020).

Patient Story: Emily’s Frustration

Emily, one of my clients, came to me after years on SSRIs with only partial improvement. She told me:

“It’s like my OCD gets bored and finds a loophole around the meds. Then I’m back to square one.”

Can you imagine living like that? That’s why new research is so important – because it closes that gap and offers fresh hope to people like Emily.

What’s Driving New Research in the UK?

Well, several things:

• Growing awareness of mental health inequalities.
  More funding is now directed at mental health trials by the NIHR and UK universities. In fact, the NIHR Mental Health Research Goals 2024-2029 have prioritised OCD as a target for innovation.

• Advances in neuroscience and digital health.
  We can now study the OCD brain in real time using fMRI and develop AI-based digital therapies that actually work.

• The rise of treatment-resistant OCD cases.
  These push researchers to explore novel medications and combined therapy models.

Promising OCD Trials Happening Right Now in the UK

Here’s where it gets exciting. Let’s break down some of the most promising OCD research and treatment trials happening in 2025.

1. Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Trials

You won’t believe this, but… UK researchers are now running controlled trials using psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) combined with psychotherapy for treatment-resistant OCD.

What’s the logic?

• Psilocybin binds to serotonin receptors, potentially ‘resetting’ rigid neural pathways.

• Early US studies showed up to 50% symptom reduction for several weeks after just one dose (Moreno et al., 2006).

Trial Methodology

At Imperial College London, the Centre for Psychedelic Research is conducting:

• Randomised controlled trials with psilocybin vs placebo.

• Participants undergo guided psychotherapy sessions before and after dosing to integrate insights safely.

• Strict screening for psychosis or cardiovascular risk.

Patient Story: Raj’s Breakthrough

Raj, who travelled to the US for compassionate-access treatment, shared:

“It felt like my OCD thoughts loosened their grip. For the first time in years, I felt free to just… be.”

FAQ

Q: Is psilocybin therapy legal in the UK?
A: No, it remains a Class A drug. Current use is only within approved clinical trials.

2. Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS)

Next, let’s talk about Deep TMS.

What is it?

It’s a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in OCD – especially the anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex.

Trial Methodology

At King’s College Hospital, trials involve:

• Daily sessions (20 mins) for 6 weeks.

• Targeting brain regions identified by fMRI scans.

• Measuring Y-BOCS scores pre-, mid-, and post-treatment.

Patient Story: Sarah’s Experience

Sarah, who took part in the pilot, told me:

“I felt a tingling in my head, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. By week 4, my checking rituals were easier to resist.”

FAQ

Q: Is Deep TMS available on the NHS?
A: It’s still under evaluation by NICE, but some private clinics now offer it for OCD.

3. Digital CBT with Therapist Guidance

Then, there’s the digital therapy revolution.

What’s happening?

The University of Sheffield is running a major trial on Blended CBT, combining:

• Online modules (psychoeducation, ERP practice exercises).

• Weekly video calls with a therapist to personalise and motivate.

Trial Methodology

• Participants complete 8-12 weeks of guided modules.

• Outcomes measured via PHQ-9, GAD-7, and Y-BOCS.

Patient Story: Alex’s Convenience

Alex shared:

“I was nervous at first, but doing ERP with Federico online felt like he was right there with me. It saved so much travel time.”

FAQ

Q: Is online CBT as effective as face-to-face?
A: Research shows similar outcomes when therapist guidance is included.

4. Glutamate-Modulating Medications

Most current OCD meds target serotonin. But glutamate imbalance plays a major role in OCD pathology.

Current UK Trial

King’s College London is trialling memantine (an Alzheimer’s drug) as an adjunct to SSRIs.

Trial Methodology

• Randomised placebo-controlled design.

• Participants remain on SSRIs while adding memantine.

• Outcomes measured at 8 and 16 weeks via Y-BOCS.

Patient Story: James’s Journey

James tried memantine off-label via private psychiatry. He said:

“It wasn’t a magic fix, but my intrusive thoughts felt less sticky. Like… I could brush them off more easily.”

FAQ

Q: Is memantine licensed for OCD?
A: No, it’s still experimental and used only under specialist supervision.

5. Augmented ERP with Virtual Reality (VR)

You won’t believe this, but VR is no longer just for gamers.

How does it work?

• VR creates realistic OCD-triggering environments (e.g. dirty toilets, cluttered kitchens).

• Clients practise ERP in safe, controlled settings with therapist support.

UK Trials

University College London is running VR-enhanced ERP trials showing:

• Increased treatment engagement and motivation.

• Improved generalisation of ERP gains to real life.

Patient Story: Fiona’s Progress

Fiona told me:

“I practised touching virtual door handles covered in dirt. It felt real enough to trigger my fear but safe enough to keep going.”

FAQ

Q: Is VR therapy available in clinics yet?
A: Some private OCD specialists now integrate VR ERP alongside traditional exposure tasks.

6. Precision Psychiatry and Genetic Research

Finally, here’s the big future vision.

What is precision psychiatry?

Using genetics, brain scans, and behavioural data to tailor treatment to each person.

UK Studies

The NIHR Mental Health BioResource is collecting genetic samples to:

• Identify OCD subtypes based on biology.

• Predict therapy vs medication responsiveness.

Patient Story: Laura’s Curiosity

Laura said:

“I donated my DNA sample because if it helps find why OCD happens and how to treat it, that’s worth it.”

FAQ

Q: Will my treatment soon be based on my genes?
A: It’s still in early stages, but in the next decade, precision psychiatry will likely inform personalised care plans.

How Will These Trials Impact OCD Treatment in the UK?

Short Term

• Wider access to blended and VR therapies

• New medication options for severe OCD

• Increased funding and public awareness

Long Term

• Personalised treatments based on genetics

• Potential legalisation of psilocybin therapy under strict regulations

• Integration of Deep TMS into NHS pathways for severe OCD

My Thoughts as a CBT Therapist Specialising in OCD Treatment

Here’s what I think.

While these treatments are exciting, ERP remains the gold standard. In my clinic here in Edinburgh, I’ve seen lives transformed through structured, supportive ERP therapy.

But it’s also true that some people need more than therapy alone. That’s why these trials give us hope – because they add options to our toolkit.

Client Testimonial

“I used to think my OCD was unbeatable. Working with Federico using ERP gave me the skills to fight back. Knowing there are new treatments coming makes me feel even more hopeful for the future.” – Anna, Edinburgh

How I Can Help You with OCD Treatment

As a CBT therapist specialising in OCD treatment, I integrate:

• Evidence-based ERP therapy.
  Facing fears in manageable steps to retrain your brain.

• Compassionate support.
  Because it’s not just about exposure – it’s about feeling understood and empowered.

If you’d like to explore therapy options, feel free to reach out. Whether you’re in Edinburgh or anywhere in the UK, there are effective treatments that can help you start feeling better today.

Conclusion – Practical Next Steps

If you’re curious about these trials or feel stuck in your OCD journey:

1. Talk to your GP or psychiatrist about eligibility for research studies.

2. Visit NIHR’s Be Part of Research to find OCD studies near you.

3. Consider CBT with ERP, still the most effective treatment we have right now.

4. Stay informed by following trusted UK mental health research centres like King’s College London and Imperial College London.

Further Reading

• NICE Guidelines on OCD Treatment

• NIHR Mental Health Research Goals

Well, I hope this gave you a glimpse of what’s coming in OCD treatment.

Which of these future treatments would you be most willing to try?

References: 
Fineberg, N. A., Dell’Osso, B., Albert, U., Maina, G., Geller, D., Carmi, L., … & Hollander, E. (2020). Early intervention for obsessive compulsive disorder: An expert consensus statement. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 40, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.09.003

Moreno, F. A., Wiegand, C. B., Taitano, E. K., & Delgado, P. L. (2006). Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of psilocybin in 9 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 67(11), 1735–1740. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.v67n1110

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2024). Transcranial magnetic stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder. NICE interventional procedures guidance [IPG 719]. https://www.nice.org.uk

NHS Digital. (2022). Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Mental health and wellbeing, England, 2022. https://digital.nhs.uk

Sheffield Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Digital Trials. (2024). Blended CBT trial summary. University of Sheffield. https://www.sheffield.ac.uk