Early Study Suggests Psilocybin May Shield Nerves From Chemotherapy Damage

A preclinical study published Sept. 3 in the journal Science suggests that psilocybin, the active psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, may protect against chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This condition affects approximately one-third to one-half of patients undergoing certain cancer treatments, causing painful nerve damage that can lead to numbness, tingling, and heightened sensitivity to cold and touch.

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center administered two doses of psilocybin to mice prior to cisplatin chemotherapy. The treatment prevented hypersensitivity and preserved nerve endings in the skin, with protective effects lasting through six rounds of cancer therapy. The study’s co-author, Dr. Moran Amit, explained that the team initially investigated neuroplasticity-promoting compounds but found psilocybin most effective at alleviating neuropathy symptoms.

The protection appears linked to mitochondrial trafficking—the process by which energy-producing organelles travel along microtubules to distant nerve endings. Chemotherapy damages both mitochondria and these structural tracks, depleting ATP in nerve projections. Psilocybin did not restore overall energy production but maintained the mitochondria’s ability to travel and sustain ATP levels specifically within nerve terminals. This effect depended on the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A.

Intriguingly, a non-hallucinogenic compound designed to activate the same receptor also provided protection, though researchers caution that psilocybin’s psychedelic effects may contribute unknown neuroprotective benefits. Dr. Thomas Strouse of UCLA, who was not involved in the study, noted that while mitochondrial damage in CIPN is a known concept, psilocybin’s role as a protectant is novel. However, he emphasized that different chemotherapy drugs may cause neuropathy through distinct mechanisms, limiting broad assumptions.

The findings have not yet been tested in humans. Amit stated that his team is preparing a clinical trial at MD Anderson under its Cancer Neuroscience Program to evaluate both the effectiveness and safety of psilocybin for this indication. Human trials will be critical before oncologists consider administering psychedelic drugs alongside cancer treatment.