Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
4 papers in the library · 44 citations · publishing 2024
Journal of Pain Research March 1, 2024 Christopher L. Robinson, Alexandra Fonseca, Efemena Diejomaoh et al. 32 citations
Psychedelics may help reduce pain symptoms associated with various chronic pain conditions, but more rigorous research—specifically randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials—is required to determine their effectiveness for chronic, non-cancer pain.
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine August 5, 2024 Harman Chopra, Shravani Durbhakula, Alexander Shustorovich et al. 8 citations
A systematic review of 28 studies on psilocybin for chronic pain management found that most evidence is low or very low quality (76.2% of studies). Several moderate-to-low-quality studies used a 0.14 mg/kg dosing protocol. The results suggest promise for psilocybin in relieving chronic pain, but methodological weaknesses and a lack of high-quality evidence highlight the need for further research with standardized protocols.
Journal of pain research January 1, 2024 Christopher L Robinson, Matthew Slitzky, Michael E Schatman et al. 4 citations
Psychedelics, historically used in cultural and medicinal contexts, are regaining attention in clinical research, especially for psychiatric conditions like refractory depression, despite their Schedule I status. With chronic pain posing a major health problem and few non-opioid treatments available, psychedelics are being explored as alternative therapies. The National Institutes of Health now funds this research, marking a shift from past limited support. Ethical concerns are significant, particularly for vulnerable populations with chronic pain that impairs autonomy. Researchers must navigate complex regulatory landscapes involving the FDA and DEA. Transparent collaboration among patients, researchers, and regulators is essential. The authors propose using principle-based research ethics—autonomy, beneficence, justice, and nonmaleficence—to guide responsible progress, balancing therapeutic promise with ethical integrity.
Pain Medicine December 10, 2024 Christopher L. Robinson, Pawan Solanki, S Snyder et al.
Psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin primarily act as 5HT2A receptor partial agonists, influencing mood, perception, and decision-making. Research suggests they can promote synaptic growth, release oxytocin, and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. MRI studies indicate psilocybin disrupts connections between the anterior hippocampus and the default mode network, potentially explaining therapeutic effects. From 2015 to 2020, psychedelic use among people over age 12 in the United States increased by over 40%, with over 7.1 million reporting use between 2019 and 2020. Despite this, formal training on psychedelics in medical education remains limited. The report outlines a proposed curriculum to prepare future clinicians for integrating psychedelics into practice, emphasizing the need for education on mechanisms, therapeutic uses, risks, and legal considerations.