Psilocybin Shows Promise for Pain and Mental Health, Targeting Brain Circuits Directly
Philadelphia, PA – A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, published in Nature Neuroscience, reveals how psilocybin - the active component of psychedelic mushrooms – impacts specific brain circuits, perhaps opening doors to innovative treatments for chronic pain, depression, and anxiety.
Chronic pain affects over 1.5 billion people globally and frequently co-occurs with mood disorders, creating a debilitating cycle. Researchers have discovered that a single dose of psilocybin can reduce both pain and associated anxiety and depression-like behaviors in mice with chronic pain, with effects lasting up to two weeks.
“We often see patients struggling with both chronic pain and depression, unsure which came first, but knowing one exacerbates the other,” explains Dr.Joseph Cichon, senior author of the study and an assistant professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at Penn. “This research offers hope for developing new, non-opioid, and non-addictive therapies, as psilocybin is not considered addictive.”
The study pinpointed the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) - a brain region involved in processing pain and emotions – as a key target. Injecting psilocin (the form psilocybin converts to in the body) directly into the ACC replicated the pain relief and mood improvements seen with whole-body psilocybin administration. interestingly, injecting psilocin into the spinal cord did not produce the same effects, suggesting psilocybin works by modulating brain circuits rather than directly addressing the source of the pain.
Dr. cichon describes psilocybin’s action as a “dimmer switch” for serotonin receptors (5-HT2A and 5-HT1A), gently adjusting brain signals rather than simply turning them on or off.
While thes findings are encouraging, researchers emphasize the need for further inquiry. Future studies will focus on optimal dosing, long-term effects, and the brain’s ability to sustain these benefits. The team also plans to explore the potential of psilocybin for other conditions linked to dysregulated brain circuits, such as addiction and PTSD.
“We don’t yet know how long psilocybin’s effects last or if multiple doses are needed for lasting relief,” notes Stephen Wisser, a co-author and PhD student.”And while promising, we need to determine the safety and effectiveness of psilocybin-based therapies, particularly in the context of procedures like surgery.”
This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R35GM151160-01) and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.
