CNS Drugs
August 7, 2026
Chiranth Bhagavan, O. Carter, Glenn Nielsen et al.
BACKGROUND: Psychedelics exert widespread effects on brain activity, but their impact on motor function is unclear. This is clinically relevant given the emerging interest in psychedelic-assisted physical therapy for disorders of motor function. This study examined the feasibility and safety of administering movement tasks following low-to-moderate doses of psilocybin in healthy volunteers....
Psychopharmacology
June 17, 2026
Pierre Klintefors, Chiranth Bhagavan, Richard Kanaan et al.
RATIONALE: Clinical interest in psilocybin-assisted rehabilitation for motor disorders is growing. However, psilocybin's motor effects are under-researched, and quantifying them is essential for assessing treatment risks and outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to clarify whether acute effects of psilocybin disrupt established patterns of manual dexterity and coordination. Specifically, we...
medRxiv Preprint Server
April 17, 2026
Chiranth Bhagavan, Orwa Dandash, Olivia Carter et al.
preprint
Background Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic that acutely alters brain functional connectivity. These changes are linked to therapeutic doses and subjective effects, with some evidence that changes persist beyond acute drug administration. However, the effects of lower doses on sustained connectivity changes remain unclear.
Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
February 10, 2026
Chiranth Bhagavan, Olivia Carter, Alexander Bryson et al.
1 citation
Functional disorders, characterised by symptoms unexplained by organic disease, impose a significant burden on individuals and healthcare systems. Existing treatments are limited in efficacy, with no effective pharmacotherapies. There is growing evidence supporting the treatment potential of psychedelics in neuropsychiatric conditions, including several distinct functional disorders. This...
medRxiv
December 23, 2025
Chiranth Bhagavan, Olivia Carter, Glenn Nielsen et al.
1 citation
Abstract Background Psychedelics exert widespread effects on brain activity, but their impact on motor function is unclear. This is clinically relevant given the emerging interest in psychedelic-assisted physical therapy for disorders of motor function. This study’s primary objectives examined the feasibility and safety of administering movement tasks following low-to-moderate doses of...
Acta Neuropsychiatrica
November 4, 2025
Chiranth Bhagavan, Alexander Bryson, Olivia Carter et al.
4 citations
Abstract Background: Motor functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common illness associated with significant functional impairment. There are no effective pharmacotherapies, and despite the early promise of physiotherapy studies, many suffer disabling symptoms in the long term. There is a theoretical rationale for combining psychedelics with physiotherapy; however, the potential benefit of...
Wellcome Open Research
April 22, 2025
Matthew Butler, Catherine Bird, Carolina Maggio et al.
3 citations
Background Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common cause of neurological symptoms including seizures and movement disorders. It can be debilitating, is associated with high health and social care costs, and can have a poor prognosis. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has suggested FND is a multi-network disorder. Converging evidence suggests that other mechanisms including...
Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice
July 23, 2024
Chiranth Bhagavan, Richard Kanaan, Olivia Carter et al.
2 citations
Background There has been a resurgence of research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for neuropsychiatric disorders. Classic psychedelics, such as psilocybin, exert complex effects on higher cognitive functions such as perception and awareness, but their impact on motor function remains unexplored. Moreover, there is a theoretical rationale for using psychedelics to...
Trials
May 21, 2024
Chiranth Bhagavan, Paul Glue, Will Evans et al.
7 citations
Symptoms of anxiety and depression are common in patients with terminal illness and multiple challenges exist with timely and effective care in this population. Several centres have reported that one dose of the serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin, combined with therapeutic support, improves these symptoms for up to 6 months in this patient group. Drawing upon related therapeutic mechanisms,...
Wellcome Open Research
2024
Matt Butler, Catherine Bird, Carolina Maggio et al.
4 citations
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common cause of neurological symptoms including seizures and movement disorders. It can be debilitating, is associated with high health and social care costs, and can have a poor prognosis. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has suggested FND is a multi-network disorder. Converging evidence suggests that other mechanisms including...