Impact of Psilocybin on Peripheral Cytokine Production
Psychedelic Medicine – February 28, 2024
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A fascinating finding from Psychedelics and Drug Studies indicates that psilocybin, an alkaloid often obtained through chemical synthesis, can transiently increase peripheral cytokine production for up to one week. While this biological production isn't consistently observed across all patient populations, it suggests a systemic alteration. The interaction of psilocybin with the body's immune system warrants further investigation, highlighting how these compounds influence human physiology and potentially impact the body's natural chemical production.
Abstract
This preliminary study suggests that a transient increase in cytokine production ≤1-week postpsilocybin may be found, although not consistently across patient populations. More broadly, peripheral cytokine production is possibly altered by psilocybin administration. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01988311.