Psilocybin and chronic neuropathic pain: a systematic review
Harman Chopra, Shravani Durbhakula, Alexander Shustorovich, Tanya Juneja, Tariq AlFarra, Caroline Silver, Greg Kreitzer, Philip Oreoluwa, Braden B Weissman, Abraham AlFarra, Vwaire Orhurhu, Trent Emerick, Timothy Furnish, David S. Jevotovsky, Daniel Pak, Mustafa Broachwala, Brian Mayrsohn, Joel Castellanos
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine August 5, 2024 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2024-105532 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 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.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 28 |
| Population | Studies evaluating psilocybin for chronic pain management |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | 0.14 mg/kg |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Neuropathic pain Chronic pain Pain management Medicine |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key finding | Psilocybin shows potential for chronic pain relief, but the evidence is generally low quality, with most studies rated low or very low. |
Abstract
Background/Importance Chronic pain affects many people globally, requiring alternative management strategies. Psilocybin is gaining attention for its potential in chronic pain management despite being classified as Schedule I. Objective This systematic review critically evaluates the evidence for psilocybin, a Schedule I substance, in the treatment of chronic pain. The exact purpose of the review is to assess the impact of psilocybin on chronic pain relief, focusing on dosing protocols, treated conditions, and patient outcomes. Evidence Review A comprehensive review of PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE was conducted up to January 2024. Eligibility criteria included studies evaluating psilocybin for chronic pain management. The risk of bias was assessed using the MASTER (MethodologicAl STandards for Epidemiological Research) scale, and the strength of evidence was graded using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). Findings The review identified 28 relevant studies focusing on dosing, treated conditions, and outcomes. The majority of the included studies (76.2%) were of low or very low quality. Several studies with moderate-to-low-quality evidence utilized a 0.14 mg/kg dosing protocol. The findings suggest promise for the use of psilocybin in chronic pain relief, though the quality of evidence is generally low. Conclusions The current research shows potential for psilocybin as a treatment option for chronic pain relief. However, methodological issues and a lack of high-quality evidence underscore the need for further investigations with standardized protocols. Despite these limitations, the potential for psilocybin in chronic pain management is encouraging. PROSPERO registration number CRD42023493823.