Psilocybin may protect against a common, debilitating side effect of chemotherapy, early study finds

A new study published in the journal Science suggests that psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, could help protect against a common side effect of chemotherapy called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN affects roughly one-third to one-half of people receiving certain chemotherapy treatments and can cause pain, numbness, and heightened sensitivity to cold and touch.

In a mouse study, researchers found that two doses of psilocybin given prior to chemotherapy prevented nerve damage and protected against CIPN for up to six rounds of treatment. The drug did not restore the overall energy-producing capacity of mitochondria but rather maintained their normal levels of ATP production, specifically within nerve projections.

This suggests that psilocybin may help keep energy supplies where they are needed most. The protective effect was found to be dependent on the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A. While the study shows promise, it is still in the early stages, and the researchers have not yet tested the drug's effectiveness and safety in humans. Further clinical trials are needed to determine if psilocybin can be a potential treatment for CIPN.