Hallucinogenic drug eyed for cancer therapy
Recent studies indicate that the psychoactive compound psilocybin may help protect nerves from damage caused by chemotherapy treatments for cancer. Experiments on mice have shown that two doses of psilocybin administered before treatment prevented symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, such as pain, numbness, and loss of sensation, while preserving the effectiveness of the cancer therapy. Researchers explained that psilocybin acts through the serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and also safeguards mitochondria from damage. This represents an important step toward developing a treatment that prevents nerve damage without compromising chemotherapy efficacy. Currently, this approach is in preclinical stages, with further studies planned on humans.
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