Researchers are investigating whether psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms, could help prevent or reduce a painful side effect of chemotherapy.
A study published Thursday in the journal Science examined the potential of psilocybin to treat peripheral neuropathy, a nerve condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Researchers conducted tests involving rats and certain human tissues.
Patrick Dougherty, a co-author of the study and pain treatment specialist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, said peripheral neuropathy affects about three-quarters of people undergoing chemotherapy.
The condition commonly causes numbness and tingling, while about one-third of affected patients develop persistent burning pain, Dougherty said during a briefing with reporters.
The symptoms can make walking difficult and cause other debilitating complications that may continue after chemotherapy ends and, in some cases, persist for life.
Beyond its impact on quality of life, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy can also affect cancer treatment outcomes. Severe side effects may force doctors to reduce chemotherapy doses or discontinue treatment altogether.
Researchers said the potential role of psilocybin emerged unexpectedly as the team was initially studying how cancer hijacks nerve cells to support tumour growth.
The findings could provide a basis for further research into whether psilocybin may eventually help protect cancer patients from chemotherapy-related nerve damage.
