Evidence is mounting that psychedelics may be the answer to chronic disease, such as depression, arthritis, and heart problems.
The Conversation: Nicholas Barnes, University of Birmingham
Now being studied for their potential medical use, these drugs were once associated with hallucinations and hippies. Drug laws suppressed research during that time because of the stigma. However, as mental health treatment approaches their limits, researchers are now returning to this controversial area of medicine.
Scientists and doctors are taking substances like psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, and ayahuasca seriously, and not because of the visions that they can induce. Instead, they do so for their healing properties.
In the beginning, it was aimed at treating mental conditions, such as depression, for which currently prescribed medications only benefit a minority. The research has now been expanded to cover diseases caused by inflammation. Psychedelic drugs can help by relaxing the immune system.
In animal and human cell cultures, DMT, LSD and (R) DOI, as well as other psychedelics, can inhibit the release of inflammation molecules known to scientists. These proteins fuel conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and depression. They also increase brain damage after traumatic brain injuries.
Advantage over steroids
These drugs are a significant improvement over anti-inflammatory drugs like steroids, because they do not suppress the immune system. This is one of the major problems with steroids.
These laboratory results are now being confirmed by studies on humans. It is becoming increasingly clear that psychedelics are capable of managing inflammation, a major cause of chronic disease, such as arthritis, depression and heart problems.
Take magic mushroom active ingredient psilocybin. In a study involving 60 healthy participants, just one dose was enough to significantly lower levels of two key inflammatory molecules–TNF-alpha and IL-6–over the following week.
Nevertheless, not every study has shown clear and consistent results. Others had only few participants while some were complicated due to the previous experience of the participants.
The study of psychedelics for medical research presents a big problem: it is very difficult to tell who took the real thing and who was given a sugar pill. It’s clear when someone experiences a powerful psychedelic effect that they did not just take sugar pills.
It is difficult to interpret these results. This placebo effect can affect even changes within the body such as inflammation.
The powerful Amazonian drink ayahuasca – which contains DMT – showed positive results on both healthy individuals and those with difficult-to-treat forms of depression. Ayahuasca was found to reduce levels of CRP, an inflammation marker.
Their mood improves the more their CRP falls. It is possible that decreasing inflammation can improve mental health.
Scientists believe that psychedelics primarily work on the 5-HT2A, a receptor in brain cells which responds normally to serotonin. Serotonin is often called “the happy hormone”.
The receptor triggers a series of chemical reactions within the cells. The surprising thing is that the anti-inflammatory properties of psychedelics may not be based on the same mechanisms as those responsible for mind-altering effects, like certain calcium signals or other pathways well studied. Indeed, researchers believe different, less-understood mechanisms may be involved–though they haven’t figured out exactly what those are yet.
In a study on asthma (a chronic inflammation condition), two drugs that had similar psychedelic properties, (R),-DOI, and (R),-DOTFM produced vastly different antiinflammatory effects. In one animal study, two drugs with similar psychedelic effects (R)-DOI and (R)-DOTFM had vastly different antiinflammatory results. The results suggest that anti-inflammatory and psychedelic effects are separate. This could lead to safer medications.
The next generation of anti-inflammatory treatments may come from what I call Pipi drugs–psychedelic-informed but psychedelic-inactive compounds. They are designed to replicate the therapeutic effects of psychedelics, but without creating hallucinations.
Delix Therapeutics is an American company that develops several such drugs, including DLX 001 and DLX 159. The experimental drugs have shown responses that indicate antidepressant properties without producing a “trip.” It could change the way we treat inflammation-related conditions, and without any of the problems associated with psychedelics.
Although research is still in the early stages, evidence is building that psychedelics–or new drugs developed from them–could become an entirely new type of anti-inflammatory treatment. We may discover that psychedelics are a powerful tool for treating disease as studies include patients with chronic inflammatory diseases and incorporate more innovative and rigorous placebo-controlled design.
It is possible to distinguish between the healing and hallucinogenic properties. This could lead to a revolution in treatment, especially for patients who suffer from diseases where inflammation plays an important role.
The Conversation was the first to publish this article.
Images courtesy carlosemmaskype & Apollo.
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