Seeking the Psilocybiome: Psychedelics meet the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP January 1, 2023 John R Kelly, Gerard Clarke, Andrew Harkin et al. 33 citations
A systems psychiatry approach recognizes complex interactions across biological levels and requires integrated treatment strategies. Serotonergic psychedelics primarily target cortical 5-HT2A receptors, but their therapeutic mechanisms span molecular, cellular, and network levels, influenced by biofeedback from the periphery and environment. The gut microbiome, through the gut-brain axis, regulates host neurophysiology via unconscious parallel processing systems. Although psychedelic and microbial signaling operate on different timescales, the microbiota-gut-brain axis may contribute to the preparatory, acute, and integration phases of psychedelic therapy. This review examines the gut microbiome and mycobiome, pathways of the MGB axis, and potential interactions with psychedelic therapy, discussing implications for precision medicine.