Remarkably, a study published in Science reveals that psilocybin, the hallucinogenic active ingredient found in certain mushrooms, could prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathies. This medical treatment indeed causes numbness, tingling and burning sensations in many patients. Beyond the discomfort, these sequelae sometimes compel oncologists to reduce or prematurely halt treatment, which directly undermines the chances of recovery.
Biologically, chemotherapy damages the energy transport network within nerve cells, causing the degradation of endings located at the extremities of the body (hands and feet). Administered ahead of sessions in rodents, psilocybin protects sensory nerves by maintaining the trafficking of mitochondria and also preserves the brain’s electrical activity. These benefits are achieved without weakening the immune system nor compromising the anticancer efficacy of the treatment.
Better Tolerability of Therapies
A particularly novel aspect lies in the fact that this protective action seems independent of the molecule’s psychotropic effect. Researchers have indeed found that a non-hallucinogenic version of psilocybin offers equivalent protection in the lab, which would open the door to therapies that are better tolerated without the “trip” or consciousness alterations typically associated with psychedelic substances.
Although these preclinical results are very promising for experts, they still require confirmation in humans to guarantee their effectiveness and safety. As part of this lengthy regulatory process, MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas will launch a first clinical trial on cancer patients this fall.
