ALSUntangled #77: Psilocybin

ALSUntangled reviews alternate and off-label treatments prompted by patient interest. Here, we review psilocybin, a chemical derived from mushrooms and belonging in the category of drugs known as psychedelics. Psilocybin has plausible mechanisms for slowing ALS progression because of its ability to...

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Published in:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal degeneration 2024-12, p.1-4
Main Authors: Bakshi, Bhavya, Yerraguntla, Sandeep, Armon, Carmel, Barkhaus, Paul, Bertorini, Tulio, Bowser, Robert, Breevoort, Sarah, Bromberg, Mark, Brown, Andrew, Carter, Gregory T, Chang, Vincent, Crayle, Jesse, Fullam, Timothy, Greene, Maxwell, Heiman-Patterson, Terry, Jackson, Carlayne, Jhooty, Sartaj, Mallon, Elise, Cadavid, Javier Mascias, Mcdermott, Christopher J, Pattee, Gary, Pierce, Kaitlyn, Ratner, Dylan, Sun, Yuyao, Wang, Olivia, Wicks, Paul, Wiedau, Martina, Bedlack, Richard
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:ALSUntangled reviews alternate and off-label treatments prompted by patient interest. Here, we review psilocybin, a chemical derived from mushrooms and belonging in the category of drugs known as psychedelics. Psilocybin has plausible mechanisms for slowing ALS progression because of its ability to cross the blood brain barrier and effect neurogenesis and inflammation. Currently, there are no pre-clinical ALS models, case reports, or trials for psilocybin and ALS in the context of disease modifying therapy. Depending on dosing, there can be a high risk of psychological side effects including hallucinations and physical harm. Based on the above information, we do not currently support the use of psilocybin as a means to slow ALS progression.
ISSN:2167-8421
2167-9223
2167-9223
DOI:10.1080/21678421.2024.2441274