Pain and Perception: Exploring Psychedelics as Novel Therapeutic Agents in Chronic Pain Management.
Natalie H Strand, Madeline Whitney, Brooks Johnson, Tyler Dunn, Sumedha Attanti, Jillian Maloney, Lopa Misra, Diego A Gomez, Omar Viswanath, Eric Emami, James Leathem
Current Pain and Headache Reports January 7, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-024-01353-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psilocybin LSD Ketamine |
| Topics | Ketamine Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Analgesic effects Chronic pain Cluster headaches Neuropathic pain Pain modulation Phantom limb pain Psychotherapy Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Psychoactive compounds Analgesia Pain control Psychological treatment Counseling Medical research Pain relief |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and ketamine show potential as alternative therapeutic agents for chronic pain management by modulating pain perception through serotonergic and glutamatergic systems and promoting neuroplasticity. |
Abstract
Chronic pain affects approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide, representing the leading cause of disability and a significant financial burden on healthcare systems. Conventional treatments, such as opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are frequently linked to adverse effects, including dependency and gastrointestinal issues, and often offer limited long-term relief. This review explores the potential of psychedelics, including psilocybin, LSD, and ketamine, as alternative therapeutic agents in chronic pain management. These substances modulate pain perception through actions on serotonergic and glutamatergic systems and may promote neuroplasticity, offering novel pathways for pain relief. Specifically, the review details the pharmacologic actions of psychedelics, their effects on chronic pain syndromes such as cancer pain, migraines, and neuropathic pain, and their clinical implications. The safety profiles, patient responses, and analgesic properties of these compounds are examined, highlighting the need for further research to validate their efficacy and optimize their therapeutic use in pain management.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| The pharmacology of psilocybin | 2002 | Review | |
| Serotonin research: contributions to understanding psychoses | 2008 | Review | |
| Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness | 2018 | Review | |
| The abuse potential of medical psilocybin according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act | 2018 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Breaking the chains of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of psilocybin therapy Journal of Affective Disorders December 17, 2025
- Is there a place for psychedelics in sports practice? Acta Neuropsychiatrica 2025
- Psilocybin-containing mushroom-assisted psychotherapy is associated with sustained psychological and somatic improvements: two case studies from Jamaica Frontiers in Psychiatry July 29, 2026
- Psychedelics and Mental Health in Endurance Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 20, 2026
- Effects of psilocybin and chronic mild stress on microglial activation in rat spinal cord: an ex vivo analysis Pharmacological Reports January 20, 2026
and 5 more in the library
Cites 47
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
and 42 more in the library