Patients With Inflammatory Disorders May Benefit From Psilocybin Treatment

Data from a clinical study evaluating psilocybin as a therapeutic for inflammatory disorders in 3 different patient populations, such as patients with Parkinson disease, bipolar disorder, and chronic pain, are expected to be released by the end of April 2023, according to a press release.¹ Conducted by researchers at the Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CSTI) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), the investigators are looking hopes that the study results will support the use of psilocybin as a therapeutic for inflammatory disorders.¹

“The UCSF research team is making progress on the clinical trial. The data gathered from these studies could uncover the role of inflammatory activity on such conditions as Parkinson, bipolar disorder and chronic pain,” said Eric Weisblum, chief executive officer of Silo Pharma, in a recently published press release.¹

Mushroom-derived psilocybin has specific psychoactive properties that have been investigated for medicinal use in recent years. It has been proven to affect serotonin receptors and has shown promise in treating addiction disorders and various forms of depression, which can occur in all 3 inflammatory conditions.²

The UCSF CTSI investigators are assessing the effects of psilocybin for each condition separately. Initially, the investigators will administer a preparation therapy, followed by 2 dosing sessions using psilocybin, and end with an integration therapy.¹ The investigators will collect 4 blood samples from each participant—1 at baseline, 2 post-dosing samples (1 taken after each of the 2 doses), and a sample at the 30-day follow up. Diagnostics and data are expected to have been fully collected by February 2023 for patients with Parkinson, early 2023 for patients with bipolar, and April 2023 for patients with chronic pain.¹

“Utilizing psilocybin in this study in a regimented dosing pattern, we hope to gain significant data both in mechanism of action and potential biomarker for personalization of psilocybin therapy,” Weisblum said.¹

Parkinson disease is a brain disorder that worsens over time. Suggested to affect more men than women, it is characterized by uncontrollable movements including shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination, and can lead to depression, fatigue, and regressive mobility.³

Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings of emotional highs and depressive lows, having a cascading effect on sleep, energy, activity judgment, and the ability to think clearly.⁴ Additionally, chronic pain is an inflammatory condition that causes pain lasting more than 3 months.⁵ It can interfere with daily activities and lead to depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and worse pain.⁵

“The targeted patient populations from the study could provide support for the development and use of psilocybin as a therapeutic coupled with our novel homing peptides and topical technology,” Weisblum said in the press release.¹

References

1. Silo Pharma, Inc. Silo Pharma Advances Clinical Study Analyzing Effects of Psilocybin on Inflammation. News Release. January 10, 2023. Accessed January 11, 2023. https://silopharma.com/
2. Ziff S, Stern B, Lewis G, et al. Analysis of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Medicine: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2022 Feb;14(2):e21944. doi:10.7759/cureus.21944
3. National Institute of Health. Parkinson’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. Accessed on January 11, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease#:~:text=Parkinson's%20disease%20is%20a%20brain,have%20difficulty%20walking%20and%20talking.
4. Mayo Clinic. Bipolar Disorder. Accessed January 11, 2023. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955
5. Cleveland Clinic. Chronic Pain. Accessed January 11, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4798-chronic-pain