by Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that injections of psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, can reduce chronic pain in rats. The study, published in the open-access journal Current Biology, involved inducing chronic pain in lab rats and administering injections of psilocybin as treatment.
Chronic pain affects approximately 20% of adults in the United States and is a significant contributing factor to the opioid epidemic. As opioid medications can lead to numerous adverse effects and addiction, scientists are actively seeking alternative pain relief options.
Psilocybin has gained attention for its potential therapeutic applications, with anecdotal reports from individuals using it illegally suggesting it may alleviate chronic pain. Previous studies have also shown promise in using psilocybin for the treatment of depression and addictions.
In this study, the research team induced inflammation and chronic pain in rats by injecting formaldehyde into one of their feet. This procedure causes prolonged inflammation lasting for several months. The rats were then divided into groups and administered low-dose or high-dose psilocybin injections, alongside a control group receiving saltwater injections.
Over the following month, the researchers periodically assessed pain sensitivity in the rats by pricking their feet or subjecting them to a hot plate. The findings revealed that the rats given psilocybin, at either dose, exhibited reduced sensitivity to pinpricks. However, no changes were observed when the rats were exposed to the hot plate, nor in the rats injected with saltwater.
The researchers propose that psilocybin can alleviate chronic pain in rats by remodeling the brain in a manner similar to how chronic pain affects the brain. Further investigation is necessary to determine the potential benefits of psilocybin for human patients experiencing chronic pain.
In conclusion, this research presents compelling evidence that psilocybin may hold promise as a potential treatment for chronic pain. However, it is important to note that further studies are required to establish its efficacy and safety in human patients. The findings from this study contribute to the growing body of research exploring alternative therapeutic options for chronic pain management.
