Psilocybin induces acute and persisting alterations in immune status in healthy volunteers: An experimental, placebo-controlled study

Mostra el registre complet Registre parcial de l'ítem

• dc.contributor.author Mason, Natasha L.
• dc.contributor.author Szabo, Attila
• dc.contributor.author Kuypers, Kim PC
• dc.contributor.author Mallaroni, Pablo A.
• dc.contributor.author Torre Fornell, Rafael de la
• dc.contributor.author Reckweg, Johannes T.
• dc.contributor.author Tse, Desmond H.Y.
• dc.contributor.author Hutten, Nadia R.P.W.
• dc.contributor.author Feilding, Amanda
• dc.contributor.author Ramaekers, Johannes G.
• dc.date.accessioned 2024-03-13T15:40:16Z
• dc.date.available 2024-03-13T15:40:16Z
• dc.date.issued 2023
• dc.description.abstract Patients characterized by stress-related disorders such as depression display elevated circulating concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a hyperactive HPA axis. Psychedelics are demonstrating promising results in treatment of such disorders, however the mechanisms of their therapeutic effects are still unknown. To date the evidence of acute and persisting effects of psychedelics on immune functioning, HPA axis activity in response to stress, and associated psychological outcomes is preliminary. To address this, we conducted a placebo-controlled, parallel group design comprising of 60 healthy participants who received either placebo (n = 30) or 0.17 mg/kg psilocybin (n = 30). Blood samples were taken to assess acute and persisting (7 day) changes in immune status. Seven days' post-administration, participants in each treatment group were further subdivided: 15 underwent a stress induction protocol, and 15 underwent a control protocol. Ultra-high field (7-Tesla) magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to assess whether acute changes in glutamate or glial activity were associated with changes in immune functioning. Finally, questionnaires assessed persisting self-report changes in mood and social behavior. Psilocybin immediately reduced concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), while other inflammatory markers (interleukin (IL)- 1β, IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP)) remained unchanged. Seven days later, TNF-α concentrations returned to baseline, while IL-6 and CRP concentrations were persistently reduced in the psilocybin group. Changes in the immune profile were related to acute neurometabolic activity as acute reductions in TNF-α were linked to lower concentrations of glutamate in the hippocampus. Additionally, the more of a reduction in IL-6 and CRP seven days after psilocybin, the more persisting positive mood and social effects participants reported. Regarding the stress response, after a psychosocial stressor, psilocybin did not significantly alter the stress response. Results are discussed in regards to the psychological and therapeutic effects of psilocybin demonstrated in ongoing patient trials.
• dc.format.mimetype application/pdf
• dc.identifier.citation Mason NL, Szabo A, Kuypers KPC, Mallaroni PA, de la Torre Fornell R, Reckweg JT, Tse DHY, Hutten NRPW, Feilding A, Ramaekers JG. Psilocybin induces acute and persisting alterations in immune status in healthy volunteers: An experimental, placebo-controlled study. Brain Behav Immun. 2023 Nov;114:299-310. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.09.004
• dc.identifier.doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2023.09.004
• dc.identifier.issn 0889-1591
• dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10230/59402
• dc.language.iso eng
• dc.publisher Elsevier
• dc.relation.ispartof Brain Behav Immun. 2023 Nov;114:299-310
• dc.rights © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
• dc.rights.accessRights info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
• dc.rights.uri http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• dc.subject.keyword Cytokines
• dc.subject.keyword Glutamate
• dc.subject.keyword Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis
• dc.subject.keyword Magnetic resonance spectroscopy
• dc.subject.keyword Psilocybin
• dc.subject.keyword Psychedelics
• dc.subject.keyword Stress
• dc.title Psilocybin induces acute and persisting alterations in immune status in healthy volunteers: An experimental, placebo-controlled study
• dc.type info:eu-repo/semantics/article
• dc.type.version info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion