Psychedelics as novel therapeutic agents for chronic pain: mechanisms and future perspectives
Exploration of neuroscience September 24, 2024 Bushra Yasin, Shivani Mehta, George Tewfik et al. 2 citations
Chronic neuropathic pain affects an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide. Its mechanisms involve peripheral and central sensitization from repeated noxious stimuli, leading to physical and emotional pain. Traditional treatments like opioid and non-opioid analgesics often cause adverse effects, addiction, or suboptimal relief. Psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, and MDMA are emerging as potential therapies. They alter pain perception by activating serotonin receptors, reducing inflammation, enhancing descending inhibition, and promoting neuroplasticity and synaptic remodeling. This review describes the mechanisms, pharmacology, clinical applications, and therapeutic potential of psychedelics for neuropathic pain.