New research from University of Michigan scientists suggests that injecting psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may provide enduring relief from chronic pain.
The team observed reduced pain sensitivity in rats weeks after psilocybin administration, indicating potential alterations to brain pathways. The study implies that chronic pain conditions may involve changes in the brain and spinal cord beyond the affected body part.
What Is Psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical found in magic mushrooms that induces effects ranging from euphoria to hallucinations. Some use psilocybin recreationally for its euphoric and sensory-distorting effects similar to LSD.
On the other hand, it is classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) due to its perceived high potential for abuse and lack of recognized medical benefits. Although not deemed addictive, psilocybin can cause disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic.
The substance activates serotonin receptors, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, influencing mood, cognition, and perception. Psilocybin may distort perception rather than induce active visual or auditory hallucinations. Effects vary based on factors such as dosage, user experiences, and expectations.
According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), hallucinogenic effects typically occur within 30 minutes and last 4-6 hours, with variations influenced by mental state, personality, and immediate environment. Individuals with mental health conditions or anxiety face a higher risk of adverse experiences.
Research explores psilocybin's potential in treating depression, with one study suggesting its efficacy when combined with psychological support. Psilocybin and other psychedelics may aid depression treatment by fostering connections between neurons, but further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and potential non-hallucinogenic applications.
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Psilocybin's Potential in Treating Chronic Pain
In the recent study, titled "Intravenous psilocybin attenuates mechanical hypersensitivity in a rat model of chronic pain" published in Current Biology, rats underwent a simulation of chronic pain by receiving a small formaldehyde injection in their foot. This induced hypersensitivity lasting a month or more, providing a model for studying long-lasting pain.
The rats were then administered either a low-dose (1mg per kilogram) or high-dose (10mg per kilogram) injection of psilocybin or a placebo. Over the next month, pain responses were measured through foot pricks and exposure to a hot plate, revealing reduced sensitivity in psilocybin-treated rats compared to those receiving the placebo, particularly in foot prick sensitivity.
While the high-dose rats exhibited less sensitivity on some days, overall, both high- and low-dose psilocybin groups showed similar effects in foot prick sensitivity. However, psilocybin did not significantly improve heat sensitivity, potentially due to the extreme temperature of the hot plate.
Importantly, rats without formaldehyde injections did not show altered pain sensitivity with psilocybin, indicating its specificity for chronic pain relief. The study contributes to ongoing scientific exploration of psilocybin's therapeutic potential, noting its previous efficacy in treating depression and aiding addiction cessation.
The study has limitations, focusing on inflammation-induced pain, necessitating further research on other pain types like nerve pain. The exact mechanism behind psilocybin's pain relief remains unclear, raising questions about its hallucinogenic properties' role in sensitivity reduction.
Further research is essential before considering psilocybin as a pain treatment. Notably, two scientists in the study have financial ties to Tryp Therapeutics, a company researching psilocybin for pain conditions, emphasizing the importance of independent replication for credible results.
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