U.S. study tests psilocybin to fight cancer side effects

A recent U.S. study explored the potential of using psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms, to combat the side effects of chemotherapy. The study, published in the journal Science, involved tests on rats and human tissues to investigate the drug's ability to treat peripheral neuropathy, a nerve condition affecting around three-quarters of chemotherapy patients.

Peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, and in some cases, intense burning pain, which can severely impact a person's ability to walk and may even persist long after chemotherapy has ended. The researchers initially discovered psilocybin's potential when studying the disease's manipulation of nerve cells for growth. They were surprised to find that the compound not only prevented the development of peripheral neuropathy but also protected nerve cells and encouraged the transport of mitochondria, the "powerhouses" of cells that generate energy.

This is crucial because chemotherapy destroys the microscopic pathways that allow mitochondria to supply energy to nerve endings in the hands and feet, ultimately killing off the nerve endings. Psilocybin also appears to influence the brain, preserving electrical activity that chemotherapy disrupts. In rodent trials, two doses of psilocybin before chemotherapy were sufficient to prevent the onset of painful hypersensitivity during multiple rounds of treatment without affecting the immune system or impeding the cancer-fighting properties of the treatment.

While the findings are promising, further testing is required to determine the drug's safety and efficacy. Researchers are optimistic that the surge in medical research on psychedelic substances and a recent executive order by the Trump administration to expedite research and regulatory reviews will accelerate the process. The MD Anderson Cancer Center plans to initiate clinical trials with psilocybin for cancer patients later this year.

However, it is crucial for patients to avoid self-medicating with magic mushrooms, as the drug can have an amplifying effect and may exacerbate stress and anxiety in cancer patients.