Substances once associated only with the counterculture of the 1960s, such as LSD, DMT, ayahuasca, and psilocybin (the active ingredient in so-called “magic mushrooms”), are gaining new prominence in modern medicine. According to an article published on the The Conversation portal — based on recent studies reviewed by scientists and available in the PubMed Central database — these substances demonstrate potential for treating inflammatory diseases and mental disorders in an innovative way, without the side effects of traditional medications.

Researchers point out that psychedelics have shown the ability to reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines, molecules that fuel diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and even depression. Unlike corticosteroids — the main anti-inflammatories used today — these substances appear to act without compromising the normal function of the immune system, one of the biggest challenges of conventional treatments.

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In tests conducted with 60 healthy volunteers, a single dose of psilocybin was sufficient to significantly reduce levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, inflammatory markers linked to various chronic diseases. Similar results were observed with ayahuasca, which, in addition to reducing inflammation (measured by the CRP marker), also improved symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.

Scientists believe that these effects are linked to the action of psychedelics on 5-HT2A receptors — the same ones that interact with serotonin, the so-called “happiness hormone”. However, there is evidence that the anti-inflammatory effects do not directly depend on hallucinogenic experiences, which paves the way for the development of new medications that maintain therapeutic potential, without causing perceptual alterations.

Companies like the American Delix Therapeutics are already developing compounds inspired by psychedelics, such as DLX-001 and DLX-159, which mimic the antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects, but without causing hallucinations. These so-called Pipi drugs (informed psychedelics, yet inactive) represent a new generation of drugs that can transform the treatment of inflammation-related diseases, such as depression, arthritis, and heart diseases.

Although the results are still in the early stages, the scientific community recognizes the progress. If confirmed in larger clinical studies, psychedelics and their derivatives could revolutionize anti-inflammatory medicine, offering safer and more effective alternatives for millions of patients.

Source: The Conversation — “From trips to treatments: how psychedelics could revolutionise anti-inflammatory medicine” (published in 2025).