ALSUntangled #77: Psilocybin
Bhavya Bakshi, Sandeep Yerraguntla, Carmel Armon, Paul Barkhaus, Tulio Bertorini, Robert Bowser, Sarah Breevoort, Mark Bromberg, Andrew Brown, Gregory Carter, Vincent Chang, Jesse Crayle, Timothy Fullam, Maxwell Greene, Terry Heiman-Patterson, Carlayne Jackson, Sartaj Jhooty, Elise Mallon, Javier Mascias Cadavid, Christopher J Mcdermott, Gary Pattee, Kaitlyn Pierce, Dylan Ratner, Yuyao Sun, Olivia Wang, Paul Wicks, Martina Wiedau, Richard Bedlack
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration December 22, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2441274 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Neuroplasticity Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Psychedelics hallucinogens Psychoactive drugs Neuroscience brain research Neural science Neurobiology Medical research Treatment studies Als amy Inflammation Entheogens |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | There are no preclinical ALS models, case reports, or trials for psilocybin as a disease-modifying therapy, and the authors do not support its use to slow ALS progression. |
Abstract
ALSUntangled reviews alternate and off-label treatments prompted by patient interest. Here, we review psilocybin, a chemical derived from mushrooms and belonging in the category of drugs known as psychedelics. Psilocybin has plausible mechanisms for slowing ALS progression because of its ability to cross the blood brain barrier and effect neurogenesis and inflammation. Currently, there are no pre-clinical ALS models, case reports, or trials for psilocybin and ALS in the context of disease modifying therapy. Depending on dosing, there can be a high risk of psychological side effects including hallucinations and physical harm. Based on the above information, we do not currently support the use of psilocybin as a means to slow ALS progression.
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
Cites 14
- Survey study of challenging experiences after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms: Acute and enduring positive and negative consequences Journal of Psychopharmacology August 31, 2016
- Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics Frontiers in Psychiatry September 10, 2021
- Direct comparison of the acute effects of lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects Neuropsychopharmacology February 25, 2022
- Microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms: a double-blind placebo-controlled study Translational Psychiatry August 2, 2022
- Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of human studies European Neuropsychopharmacology August 7, 2023
and 9 more in the library