{
  "id": 3342453,
  "title": "A unique psychedelic shows promise for pain and stroke",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/a-unique-psychedelic-shows-promise-for-pain-and-stroke",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-25T20:00:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PsyPost",
    "slug": "psypost",
    "url": "https://www.psypost.org/a-unique-psychedelic-shows-promise-for-pain-and-stroke/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new review of animal studies suggests that a compound found in the plant Salvia divinorum, called salvinorin A, may offer potential benefits for treating pain, addiction, and stroke. Unlike other well-known psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD, which primarily affect serotonin signaling in the brain, salvinorin A acts through a different system called the kappa opioid receptor, which is involved in pain, mood, and consciousness. While animal research has shown salvinorin A to reduce pain-related responses, inflammation, protect against brain injury, and decrease drug-seeking behavior, its effectiveness for depression is inconsistent. Side effects such as anxiety, movement, and cognitive issues have also been reported, as salvinorin A's effects are extremely short-lived, with brain concentrations peaking within seconds or minutes and eliminating from the blood within an hour. Although the review identified 16 chemically modified relatives of salvinorin A that may address these limitations, more human clinical trials are needed to confirm the drug's potential and address safety concerns.",
  "summary": "An unusual psychedelic found in Salvia divinorum shows promise for treating pain, addiction, and stroke in animal models. However, anxiety-inducing side effects and a fleeting duration mean modified versions may be needed for human therapies.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}