Frontiers in Immunology
July 14, 2015
Attila Szabo
153 citations
Classical psychedelics, including DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, LSD, and others, modulate immune responses by altering signaling pathways involved in inflammation, cellular proliferation, and survival. These substances activate NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases, and their effects are mediated through serotonin and sigma-1 receptors, which also play roles in immunological processes. The review discusses the immunomodulatory potential of these compounds from a molecular immunology and pharmacology perspective, focusing on the interaction between serotonin and sigma-1 receptors and their cross-talk with pattern-recognition receptor signaling. It suggests novel approaches for treating chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, depression, and Alzheimer's disease, aiming to reframe psychedelics as potential therapeutic agents rather than solely as drugs of abuse.
Frontiers in Immunology
January 14, 2022
Faez Iqbal Khan, Fakhrul Hassan, Dakun Lai
34 citations
Compounds from psilocybin-containing mushrooms—psilacetin, psilocin, and psilocybine—were computationally screened and found to bind to the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) with binding energies of −6.0, −5.4, and −5.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Psilacetin also bound to human interleukin-6 receptors, suggesting a potential to reduce cytokine storm. These interactions altered the structural dynamics and Gibbs free energy patterns of the proteins. The results suggest that psilocybin-mushroom compounds could be developed as chemotherapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2.
Frontiers in Immunology
January 1, 2025
David Qixiang Chen, José Adalberto Inzunza Domínguez, Juan Manuel Valle Uzeta et al.
3 citations
Ibogaine treatment in two multiple sclerosis patients led to substantial lesion shrinkage and decreased Apparent Diffusion Coefficient values, suggesting remyelination and reduced inflammation. Both patients showed cortical and subcortical alterations, especially in regions linked to pain and emotional processing. These findings indicate ibogaine may promote neuroplasticity and modulate neurocircuitry involved in MS pathology.
Frontiers in Immunology
January 1, 2026
Qing Feng, Zhen Yuan, Qi An et al.
1 citation
Depression involves immune dysregulation, and serum inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and C-reactive protein link peripheral inflammation to brain dysfunction. These cytokines activate innate immune pathways like TLR4, NF-κB, MAPK, and NLRP3 inflammasome, alter tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism via IDO1 and TDO2, impair monoamine neurotransmission, enhance glutamatergic excitotoxicity, reduce BDNF-dependent neuroplasticity, and promote microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Clinical studies associate cytokine profiles with symptom severity, cognitive dysfunction, suicidality, and illness chronicity. Anti-inflammatory compounds, antidepressants with immunomodulatory effects, and ketamine may work partly by normalizing these cytokine pathways.