ALSUntangled #77: Psilocybin
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration December 22, 2024 Bhavya Bakshi, Sandeep Yerraguntla, Carmel Armon et al. 1 citation
A review of psilocybin, a psychedelic chemical from mushrooms, for treating ALS found no preclinical models, case reports, or trials testing it as a disease-modifying therapy. Psilocybin can cross the blood-brain barrier and may affect neurogenesis and inflammation, suggesting plausible mechanisms for slowing ALS progression. However, depending on dosing, there is a high risk of psychological side effects like hallucinations and physical harm. The authors do not currently support using psilocybin to slow ALS progression.