Nisha Pandey

Psychedelic Compound Found In 'Magic Mushrooms' May Help Prevent Painful Chemotherapy Side Effects, Study Finds

Psychedelic Compound In 'Magic Mushrooms' May Help Prevent Painful Chemotherapy Side Effects, Study Finds

A compound best known for its <span>psychedelic</span> effects may have potential in protecting cancer patients from nerve damage caused by <span>chemotherapy</span>. 

Researchers at the <span>University of Texas</span> MD Anderson Cancer Center found that <span>psilocybin</span>, the active psychedelic compound in 'magic mushrooms,' prevented peripheral neuropathy induced by chemotherapy in several preclinical models. The findings were published in <em>Science</em> recently. 

<h2>Chemotherapy Can Leave Patients With Lasting Nerve Damage </h2>

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/have-dense-breasts-what-women-should-know-about-their-breast-cancer-risk-article-156045857" data-type="tilCustomLink">Chemotherapy</a>-induced peripheral neuropathy, or CIPN, occurs when cancer drugs cause damage to the nerves located outside the brain and the spinal cord. 

It can cause burning or shooting pain, numbness, tingling, increased sensitivity to cold and loss of sensation, especially in the limbs. In some cases, the nerve damage can persist long after chemotherapy ends and may even become irreversible. 

Currently, there are not a lot of options for preventing this type of nerve injury, making researchers explore other approaches that could protect nerves before chemotherapy causes damage.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/bladder-cancer-detection-may-get-faster-easier-new-urine-test-detects-92-of-cases-article-156096060" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bladder Cancer Detection May Get Faster &amp; Easier: New Urine Test Detects 92% Of Cases</a> 

<h2>Two Doses Before Chemotherapy Protected Nerves </h2>

In the new study, researchers tested psilocybin in multiple models involving <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/fibroid-or-rare-cancer-when-common-symptoms-need-a-second-opinion-article-156043413" data-type="tilCustomLink">chemotherapy drugs</a> including cisplatin, paclitaxel and docetaxel. 

They found that as few as two doses of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/alcohol-linked-cancer-deaths-doubled-in-us-colorectal-leads-in-men-breast-leads-in-women-article-156041001" data-type="tilCustomLink">psilocybin</a> given before chemotherapy prevented several signs of peripheral neuropathy. 

Treated models retained normal touch sensation, showed less sensitivity to cold and maintained sensory nerve endings, even after repeated chemotherapy sessions. 

The researchers also found no evidence that psilocybin interfered with chemotherapy's ability to attack tumours in these models.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/pm2-5-and-cancer-risk-practical-ways-to-protect-yourself-in-indias-polluted-cities-article-156046158" data-type="tilCustomLink">PM2.5 and Cancer Risk: Practical Ways to Protect Yourself in India’s Polluted Cities</a> 

<h2>How Could Psilocybin Protect Nerves? </h2>

According to the researchers, the answer may lie in the way nerve cells transport mitochondria, the components responsible for producing cellular energy. 

Chemotherapy can disrupt this transport system, leaving nerve endings without enough energy and making them vulnerable to damage. 

Psilocybin appeared to preserve mitochondrial movement through a pathway involving the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. When researchers blocked this pathway, the protective effect disappeared. 

Additionally, a non-hallucinogenic compound that activates the same receptor produced similar nerve-protective effects in the models. This suggests that the potential benefit may not depend on <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/blocked-ears-after-flight-turned-out-to-be-rare-head-and-neck-cancer-in-22-year-old-article-156032105" data-type="tilCustomLink">psilocybin's psychedelic experience</a> itself. 

Dr Moran Amit, the study's co-lead, said, "There is an urgent need for treatments that can prevent nerve injury without interfering with life-saving chemotherapy. He said the findings offer insight into protecting nerves before damage becomes persistent."

<h2>Can Cancer Patients Take Psilocybin Yet? </h2>

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The study was conducted using laboratory and animal models, so it is not yet known whether the same protective effect will occur in people who are undergoing chemotherapy. 

Researchers are now moving toward a Phase II clinical trial, known as NeuroGuard, to test whether psilocybin can prevent or reduce CIPN in people receiving chemotherapy for breast, colorectal or head and neck cancers. The trial is listed by the <span>US National Cancer Institute</span> as an approved Phase II study.

The trial will also examine whether preventing nerve damage could help patients tolerate their cancer treatment better and maintain quality of life.

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A compound best known for its psychedelic effects may have potential in protecting cancer patients from nerve damage caused by chemotherapy. Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that psilocybin, the active psychedelic compound in 'magic mushrooms,' prevented peripheral neuropathy induced by chemotherapy in several preclinical models. The findings were published in Science recently. Chemotherapy Can Leave Patients With Lasting Nerve Damage Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, or CIPN, occurs when cancer drugs cause damage to the nerves located outside the brain and the spinal cord. It can cause burning or shooting pain, numbness, tingling, increased sensitivity to cold and loss of sensation, especially in the limbs. In some cases, the nerve damage can persist long after chemotherapy ends and may even become irreversible. Currently, there are not a lot of options for preventing this type of nerve injury, making researchers explore other approaches that could protect nerves before chemotherapy causes damage.Also read: Bladder Cancer Detection May Get Faster & Easier: New Urine Test Detects 92% Of Cases Two Doses Before Chemotherapy Protected Nerves In the new study, researchers tested psilocybin in multiple models involving chemotherapy drugs including cisplatin, paclitaxel and docetaxel. They found that as few as two doses of psilocybin given before chemotherapy prevented several signs of peripheral neuropathy. Treated models retained normal touch sensation, showed less sensitivity to cold and maintained sensory nerve endings, even after repeated chemotherapy sessions. The researchers also found no evidence that psilocybin interfered with chemotherapy's ability to attack tumours in these models.Also read: PM2.5 and Cancer Risk: Practical Ways to Protect Yourself in India’s Polluted Cities How Could Psilocybin Protect Nerves? According to the researchers, the answer may lie in the way nerve cells transport mitochondria, the components responsible for producing cellular energy. Chemotherapy can disrupt this transport system, leaving nerve endings without enough energy and making them vulnerable to damage. Psilocybin appeared to preserve mitochondrial movement through a pathway involving the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. When researchers blocked this pathway, the protective effect disappeared. Additionally, a non-hallucinogenic compound that activates the same receptor produced similar nerve-protective effects in the models. This suggests that the potential benefit may not depend on psilocybin's psychedelic experience itself. Dr Moran Amit, the study's co-lead, said, "There is an urgent need for treatments that can prevent nerve injury without interfering with life-saving chemotherapy. He said the findings offer insight into protecting nerves before damage becomes persistent."Can Cancer Patients Take Psilocybin Yet?                The study was conducted using laboratory and animal models, so it is not yet known whether the same protective effect will occur in people who are undergoing chemotherapy. Researchers are now moving toward a Phase II clinical trial, known as NeuroGuard, to test whether psilocybin can prevent or reduce CIPN in people receiving chemotherapy for breast, colorectal or head and neck cancers. The trial is listed by the US National Cancer Institute as an approved Phase II study.The trial will also examine whether preventing nerve damage could help patients tolerate their cancer treatment better and maintain quality of life.