A new review of the scientific literature published in Brain Science suggests that Psilocybin – a chemical compound found in psychedelics – could help patients recover from TBI.
After reviewing 29 studies on the use of Psilocybin by patients with TBI in Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Hackensack Meridian’s JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, concluded that the assisted use of psilocybin “may be beneficial in TBI through reducing inflammation and promoting neuroplasticity, neuroregeneration and alleviating mood disorders associated.”
The authors concluded that this conclusion along with the “positive findings” in other fields such as treatment of depression and addiction highlight the need for further clinical studies on psilocybin’s role in TBI rehabilitation.
The new review states that “theoretically, the research into psilocybin’s potential as a TBI treatment agent is promising. However, it needs more detailed studies.”
This report highlights psilocybin’s anti-inflammatory effects and ability to stimulate the growth of new brain connections and neurons. According to the report, the antidepressant qualities of the drug may be beneficial given that TBI patients have a high incidence rate for depression.
But the new paper also flags “concerns regarding potential ‘bad trips’ and other possible side effects,” emphasizing the “need for more controlled clinical trials to establish safe and effective protocols.”
The review noted that there was no evidence to suggest that classic psychedelics increased the risk of seizure, which the authors found important, given the higher incidence of seizures associated with TBI.
According to the authors, federal restrictions restrict researchers from conducting trials. Although “decriminalization” efforts are indicative of an increasing interest in psilocybin, it’s federal Schedule I designation limits scientific exploration.
The paper concludes that “psilocybin combined with existing therapeutic methods has the potential of maximizing TBI recovery and providing a new method for treating people with this persistent disorder.”
This research is part of a growing interest in using psychedelics for treating mental and medical disorders, such as TBI or post-traumatic disorder (PSTD), particularly among veterans.
Trump’s administration has made it a priority to explore the therapeutic potentials of psychedelics, such as psilocybin and isobogaine. This includes helping combat veterans who have been sent to fight in “unnecessary” wars.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stressed the importance of reducing red tape and completing “an expeditious, rapid review” to obtain federal approval.
He said, “I don’t believe we listen to the patients when it comes to these plant-based treatments and psychedelics.” I don’t believe the medical establishment listens to doctors. When I listen to the individuals who have tried some of these for real medical conditions—post-traumatic stress disorder, severe refractory depression—people tell me that they believe that psilocybin was successful. The psilocybin was curative or significant in helping their severe depression.
“There are trials now looking at it for traumatic brain injury—things we have had nothing for in the past,” the official added. The official asked, “Until now, what treatments have been successful in treating traumatic brain injuries and PTSD?”
Under the Biden administration, there was stepped-up interest in examining certain psychedelics, with novel guidance for researchers from FDA in the pursuit of potential approvals, but the agency ultimately rejected an application to make MDMA-assisted therapy available for the treatment of PTSD.
The current commissioner’s remarks also come in the context of a meaningful shift on psychedelics policy within this administration—with the secretaries of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that oversees FDA also having expressed support for exploring the issue. Trump’s nominee to be the U.S. surgeon-general has spoken about her own personal experiences with psilocybin.
Doug Collins, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs at the time, touted his status as “one of first” Secretaries to have a firm commitment in exploring the use of psychedelics for potential treatment options among veterans.
Casey Means has been open about the psilocybin experience she had as a child.
Meanwhile, Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Lou Correa (D-CA)—co-chairs of the Congressional Psychedelic Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus—introduced a bill in April to provide $30 million in funding annually to establish psychedelics-focused “centers for excellence” at VA facilities, where veterans could receive novel treatment involving substances like psilocybin, MDMA and ibogaine.
Bergman has also expressed optimism about the prospects of advancing psychedelics reform under Trump, arguing that the administration’s efforts to cut spending and the federal workforce will give agencies “spines” to tackle such complex issues.
Collins also recently met with a military veteran who’s become an advocate for psilocybin access to discuss the therapeutic potential of psychedelic medicine for the veteran community.
Earlier this year, the secretary separately informed Trump during a Cabinet meeting that his agency is “opening up the possibility of psychedelic treatment” for veterans.
Also, during a Senate committee hearing in May, he separately reiterated his commitment to exploring the efficacy of psychedelic therapy to address serious mental health conditions that commonly afflict veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) chief has also been asked to meet bipartisan lawmakers to discuss how to give veterans access to psychedelic medicines.
Collins revealed that he and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a “eye-opening talk” about the potential medical benefits of psychedelic medicines. Collins also said that he is open to having vouchers provided by the government to pay for psychedelic therapies for veterans receiving services from outside the VA, as Congress looks at pathways to access.
In December, VA separately announced that it’s providing $1.5 million in funding to study the efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder (AUD).