This review examines how psychedelic-assisted therapy might help treat functional seizures, a type of functional neurological disorder. The authors explore potential underlying mechanisms, focusing on how psychedelics could affect brain networks involved in emotion, self-awareness, and body perception that are disrupted in functional seizures. They suggest that psychedelics may help by promoting neuroplasticity and altering connectivity in key brain regions, potentially allowing patients to process traumatic memories and reduce seizure frequency. The review indicates that while preliminary evidence is promising, more research is needed to establish safety and efficacy.
People with spinal cord injury (SCI) who use classical serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD often experience intense muscle spasms, sweating, and tremors, a phenomenon not previously described in academic literature. These symptoms resemble a peripherally dominant serotonin syndrome-like clinical picture and can interfere with any beneficial effects. The authors propose a theoretical framework for this hypersensitivity and call for awareness to guide harm reduction, informed consent, and development of protocols that allow safe use of psychedelic-assisted therapy in this population.