Human data hints psychedelics may have potential to combat inflammation

Looking beyond the brain

Research on psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD has largely examined their effects on consciousness and mental health. The drugs bind to serotonin receptors, including 5-HT2A, which are found in parts of the brain and in other tissues.

That broader presence has led researchers to examine whether psychedelics affect bodily processes too. The new study reports early human evidence relevant to inflammation and immune dysregulation.

Blood markers after psilocybin

A University of California, San Francisco team measured five inflammation-related signaling molecules in participants’ blood before and after two psilocybin sessions. Levels were significantly lower after treatment than at baseline, and the changes were still present a month after the final dose.

Researchers also tracked a marker of mitochondrial stress. It improved substantially soon after psilocybin, but the improvement was not seen at longer-term follow-up. The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

A small Parkinson’s study

The results came from 12 participants in a pilot study assessing whether psilocybin could be given safely and feasibly to people with Parkinson’s disease. The condition involves dysregulated inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction.

The earlier study, published last year, addressed safety concerns about including people with neurodegenerative conditions in psychedelic trials. UCSF associate professor Ellen Bradley said the researchers found a “really promising safety profile” and that symptoms seemed to improve somewhat.

Limits and next steps

The researchers cautioned that the study had no control group and participants knew they were receiving psilocybin. UCSF professor Aoife O’Donovan said the blood findings need confirmation before firm conclusions can be drawn, although she described the changing measures as “objective markers.” Research scientist D. Parker Kelley said the results could prompt further work on Parkinson’s, depression, anxiety, and cardio-metabolic and inflammatory disorders. Earlier studies of inflammation biomarkers after psilocybin generally involved healthy volunteers rather than people with disease, according to pharmacology professor Charles Nichols.