Psilocybin as a novel treatment for chronic pain

Summary & key facts

This paper reviews early research that looks at psilocybin as a possible treatment for long-lasting pain. The authors focus on studies in animals that test whether psilocybin can reduce pain signals and on ideas about how it might work in the spinal cord and brain. They say the findings are promising but mostly preclinical, so real-world benefits for people with chronic pain are still uncertain and need human trials.

Key facts:

• This is a review paper that mainly looks at animal studies testing psilocybin for chronic pain.
• Researchers use the phrase anti-nociceptive to mean reducing pain signals in the body and nervous system.
• Initial animal studies report that psilocybin reduced pain in models of nerve injury and inflammation, but these are early results from non-human research.
• One possible way psilocybin could work is by activating a serotonin receptor called 5-HT2A. That means it may change how pain signals are processed in the spinal cord and brain.
• Psilocybin may also change brain wiring and increase brain plasticity, which could improve how different brain areas communicate during chronic pain. That could affect both the physical feeling of pain and the emotional parts of pain.
• The review highlights that most evidence so far comes from animal work, so we do not yet know how well psilocybin would work or how safe it would be for people with chronic pain. More human studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions.

Abstract

Abstract Psychedelic drugs are under active consideration for clinical use and have generated significant interest for their potential as anti‐nociceptive treatments for chronic pain, and for addressing conditions like depression, frequently co‐morbid with pain. This review primarily explores the utility of preclinical animal models in investigating the potential of psilocybin as an anti‐nociceptive agent. Initial studies involving psilocybin in animal models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain are summarised, alongside areas where further research is needed. The potential mechanisms of action, including targeting serotonergic pathways through the activation of 5‐HT 2A receptors at both spinal and central levels, as well as neuroplastic actions that improve functional connectivity in brain regions involved in chronic pain, are considered. Current clinical aspects and the translational potential of psilocybin from animal models to chronic pain patients are reviewed. Also discussed is psilocybin's profile as an ideal anti‐nociceptive agent, with a wide range of effects against chronic pain and its associated inflammatory or emotional components.

Topics

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Chronic pain Hallucinogen Internal medicine Medicine Neuropathic pain Neuroplasticity Neuroscience Nociception Pharmacology Psilocybin Psychology Receptor Serotonergic Serotonin

Substances

Psilocybin

Conditions & symptoms

Chronic Pain Depression Chronic pain Sadness or low mood