Researchers have found that psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms, may help prevent nerve damage caused by chemotherapy. The study, conducted by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, found promising results in preclinical models.
Protection Against Nerve Injury
Chemotherapy can damage peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling and increased sensitivity. However, researchers found that administering psilocybin before chemotherapy prevented the development of nerve injury in the models studied.
The protective effect also continued through repeated chemotherapy cycles, suggesting that psilocybin could potentially prevent rather than simply manage chemotherapy-related nerve problems.
Study Offers Early Promise
As per MedicalXpress, the researchers observed that psilocybin protected against chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy even after repeated treatment. The findings point to a possible new approach for reducing one of the debilitating side effects of cancer treatment.
However, the research remains preclinical, meaning scientists have not yet established whether the same benefits occur safely and effectively in humans. Further studies and clinical trials will therefore be necessary before psilocybin could be considered as a treatment option.