Psilocybin may prevent chemo nerve damage

Researchers have found that psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in "magic mushrooms," may offer a way to prevent nerve damage commonly caused by chemotherapy. The findings, published on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in the journal Science, suggest the compound could protect nerves from the painful and often long-lasting side effects of cancer treatment. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) affects a significant percentage of cancer patients, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and increased sensitivity. These effects can persist long after treatment ends, sometimes permanently, and can force doctors to reduce or stop chemotherapy, potentially impacting treatment efficacy and a patient's quality of life. Currently, there are no proven strategies to prevent CIPN, and existing treatments offer limited relief. In preclinical studies involving mice and human nerve cells, researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center observed that administering two doses of psilocybin before chemotherapy prevented the development of nerve damage.