Recent publication suggests potential application for psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT in treating concussions
Illustration by Sage Blackwell.
A recent academic review, using research collected at the UVic’s Christie Laboratory by an undergraduate student, highlights the potential positive impacts of psychedelic compounds applied to brains suffering from concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
Zoe Plummer, a recent UVic graduate with a combined major in Biology and Psychology, completed the majority of the research for the literature review supervised by Dr. Josh Allen, a postdoctoral research fellow affiliated with the lab.
The publication was also conducted in collaboration with Dr. Leah Mayo from University of Calgary and Dr. Sandy Shultz from Vancouver Island University (VIU).
“My interest in the topics of neurobiology and drugs, and the way they influence behavior arose during the third year of my undergraduate degree,” said Plummer in a written statement. “Throughout my degree I knew I wanted to try research, but it wasn’t until this point that I knew what I was interested in studying … When I was informed there was an opportunity to research this topic [with Dr. Christie and Dr. Allen], it felt like the perfect fusion of my peak interests.”
The review, published in Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, draws from established preclinical and clinical research of psilocybin and 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT).
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound found in certain mushrooms and is known to have psychotropic effects when consumed. 5-MeO-DMT, also a psychedelic compound, can be found in certain plant species as well as toxins secreted by some species of toad.
“Most clinical research that has been done focuses on psychedelics and their potential as therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disorders, but it is becoming more evident that brain injury may share a lot of the same underlying pathophysiology,” said Plummer.
“This is what has led to the thought that these compounds could work similarly for brain injury as they have with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more.”
An estimated 69 million people are affected by concussions and brain injuries every year. When an individual receives a severe impact to the head, a chain of effects occurs within the brain. One of these effects is inflammation, which initially helps brain tissue to repair.
When prolonged, however, inflammation can result in negative consequences, such as memory deficits, depression, and stress or mood disorders. Even mild traumatic brain injuries, what we refer to as concussions, can cause mood disorders, lack of impulse control, as well as memory or attention deficits, Allen said.
Current medicine and drug treatments, Allen said, are not found to have lasting effect on the cognitive impacts of brain damage and concussions.
“Maybe you’ll get [prescribed medication] that is anti-inflammatory … or [are] targeted at the acute stages, rather than the long-term symptoms,” said Allen.
“Psychedelics seem to be good, because they’ll also target multiple systems, like enhanced neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself), which happens quite rapidly and seem to be quite long lasting. But also, the dampening of inflammation and targeting multiple systems might bring about more efficacious benefits.”
“This would be largely beneficial when you have brain damage. [Brain damage may lead] to certain symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, or sensory motor deficits,” Allen said.
The ability to form new connections, synapses, as well as grow new dendrites — “branches” of brain neurons, the ends of which form synapses, acting as a bridge for chemicals to travel from one neuron to the other and allowing for communication — and neurons could open new pathways to get around these symptoms, Allen said.
“I think that is why [psychedelic compounds] do seem to be beneficial across many psychiatric illnesses. On top of that, you have the psychological effect of these compounds — people describe having insights and start reevaluating their life narrative, which might help [them] break away from things like addictions.”
Plummer’s work with the review led to pre-clinical testing, which began with brain tissue preparation, followed by sectioning and immunostaining tissues using specific antibodies to visualize target antigens in tissue samples.
“Our results showed that the psilocybin treated group had a decreased amount of microglia (specialized immune cells) in the injured brain,” said Plummer.
“These are cells in the brain and nervous system that are responsible for cleaning up debris in a healthy brain, but overactivation of microglia in an injured brain may be contributing to prolonged inflammation and negative outcomes.”
Despite Allen’s enthusiasm, and growing interest in psychedelic research from the public, no clinical work concerning application of psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT at the Christie Lab is confirmed at this time. Allen said that, with the pre-clinical work showing promise and continuing, the next step would be starting trials, but he is unsure when that might take place.
Additional variables to consider during further research include different forms and severity of brain injury, timelines of drug application, along with age, sex, and other biological factors that affect the safety and effectiveness of psychedelics. Allen also noted psychedelic application in brain injury is not limited to the two compounds focused in the review, as many others have similar properties.
“There’s a lot to learn, but it’s a slow game,” said Allen.
Plummer described her opportunity to work on the project as both humbling and inspiring.
“Throughout the process, I not only got to conduct research in a subject area I find fascinating, but I was awarded with an expanded skillset, a new appreciation for science and clinical work, and I overcame the common undergraduate experience of imposter syndrome,” she said.
“But growth happens when you are uncomfortable, and forcing myself to share my work, and be vulnerable, while others read it and give me feedback turned out to be the one thing that helped me slowly gain confidence.”
“The beauty of research is that each contributor brings something unique to the table and no specific strength or asset is greater than another, rather they complement each other and lead to innovative solutions.”
Editor’s note: Article has been updated to reflect clarifications from Dr. Josh Allen after publication.
