Subacute effects of a single dose of psilocybin on biomarkers of inflammation in healthy humans: An open-label preliminary investigation.
Daniel Rødbro Burmester, Martin Korsbak Madsen, Attila Szabo, Sagar Sanjay Aripaka, Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, Vibe G. Frøkjær, Betina Elfving, Jens D Mikkelsen, Gitte Moos Knudsen, Patrick MacDonald Fisher
Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology February 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2022.100163 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Open-label Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16 |
| Population | Healthy humans |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | 0.22 mg/kg |
| Duration | One day |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Immune system Neuroinflammation Psychedelics Hscrp Supar Psilocybin magic mushrooms Hallucinogens Inflammation biomarkers tnf Immune markers Biological markers |
| Citations | 24 |
| Key points | A single dose of psilocybin did not produce statistically significant changes in hsCRP, TNF, or suPAR levels in healthy individuals one day after administration. |
Abstract
Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic that has gained prominent attention recently as a potential therapeutic for neuropsychiatric disorders including Major Depressive Disorder. Pre-clinical and initial studies in humans suggest that serotonin 2A receptor agonists, including serotonergic psychedelics, have anti-inflammatory effects. This may contribute to its therapeutic effects as previous studies indicate a link between neuropsychiatric disorders and inflammatory processes. However, the effect of psilocybin on biomarkers of inflammation has not been evaluated in humans. Investigate the effect of a single dose of psilocybin on peripheral biomarkers of inflammation in healthy humans. Blood samples were collected from 16 healthy participants before and one day after the administration of a single oral dose of psilocybin (mean dose: 0.22 mg/kg) and subsequently analyzed for concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor-necrosis-factor (TNF) and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). Change in inflammatory markers was evaluated using a paired t-test where p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We did not observe statistically significant changes in any of the above biomarkers of inflammation (all Cohen's d ≤ 0.31; all p ≥ 0.23). Our data do not support that a single dose of psilocybin reduces biomarkers of inflammation in healthy individuals one day after administration. Nevertheless, we suggest that future studies consider additional markers of inflammation, including markers of neuroinflammation, and evaluate potential anti-inflammatory effects of psilocybin therapy in clinical cohorts where more prominent effects may be observable.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. Patients with moderate-to-severe, unipolar, treatment-resistant major depression | 2016 | Open-label feasibility trial | n = 12 |
| Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Patients with severe, unipolar, treatment-resistant major depression | 2017 | Open-label trial | n = 20 |
| Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Psychiatrically healthy nicotine-dependent smokers | 2014 | Open-label pilot study | n = 15 |
| Quality of Acute Psychedelic Experience Predicts Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Patients with treatment-resistant depression | 2018 | Clinical trial | n = 20 |
| Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Psilocybin in 9 Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Subjects with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) | 2006 | Controlled clinical trial |
Citations in the library
Cited by 21
- Psilocybin for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease Frontiers in Neuroscience July 10, 2024
- The immunomodulatory effects of classical psychedelics: A systematic review of preclinical studies Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry September 7, 2024
- Therapeutic modulation of the kynurenine pathway in severe mental illness and comorbidities: A potential role for serotonergic psychedelics. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry August 30, 2024
- Psilocybin for dementia prevention? The potential role of psilocybin to alter mechanisms associated with major depression and neurodegenerative diseases Pharmacology & Therapeutics April 6, 2024
- Deciphering psilocybin: Cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory effects, and mechanistic insights International Immunopharmacology February 23, 2024
and 16 more in the library
Cites 25
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
and 20 more in the library