Magic-mushroom compound blocks a severe side effect of chemotherapy, in mice
A study published in *Science* indicates that in mice, two doses of psilocybin extracted from hallucinogenic mushrooms can completely prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The study was conducted by Moran Amit and colleagues at MD Anderson Cancer Center. It was found that using psilocybin before chemotherapy treatments such as platinum-based anticancer drugs can effectively protect sensory nerve fibers from damage, maintain normal touch sensation, and does not weaken the tumor-reducing effect of the drugs. Currently, approximately 60% of cancer patients receiving platinum-based treatment suffer from this serious side effect that causes a burning or numb sensation in the hands and feet, and existing methods are unable to effectively prevent it. The study confirmed that psilocybin activates specific receptors on skin sensory nerve fibers, triggering a series of reactions to maintain mitochondrial function, thereby preventing neuronal degeneration.