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

A recent U.S. study published in the journal Science explores the potential of using hallucinogenic drug psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy. The research focused on a condition called peripheral neuropathy, affecting millions of people worldwide and often experienced by three-quarters of those who undergo chemo.

Peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, and in severe cases, unbearable burning pain that can disrupt daily life and even impact a cancer patient's survival chances. Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that psilocybin could help prevent peripheral neuropathy by protecting nerve cells and enhancing mitochondrial transport, which is crucial as chemotherapy destroys the energy pathways necessary for nerve function.

The drug's ability to preserve electrical activity in the brain also helps maintain nerve health, even after chemotherapy. While the study's findings are promising, further research is needed to ensure psilocybin's safety and effectiveness in humans. MD Anderson Cancer Center plans to begin clinical trials of psilocybin for cancer patients later this year.

However, it is important for patients to avoid using magic mushrooms without medical supervision, as the drug can have amplified effects and worsen anxiety or stress in already vulnerable individuals.