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Classic psychedelics do not affect T cell and monocyte immune responses

Summary

Researchers tested whether common psychedelic drugs (LSD, psilocin, DMT, and mescaline) directly affect human immune cells in laboratory conditions. They found that these psychedelics did not suppress T cell function or immune signaling at the doses tested. This is good news for patients with serious illnesses who might benefit from psychedelic-assisted therapy, as it suggests these treatments won’t dangerously weaken their already compromised immune systems.

Background

Classic psychedelics have shown therapeutic potential for treating psychiatric disorders and neuropsychiatric diseases. Beyond their psychopharmacological effects, psychedelics have been reported to modulate immune functions, but direct immune effects on human immune cells in vitro remain poorly explored.

Objective

To investigate the direct immune-modulatory effects of classic psychedelics (LSD, psilocin, DMT, and mescaline) on primary human T lymphocytes and monocytes, particularly regarding proliferation, cytokine release, and NF-κB induction.

Results

None of the tested psychedelics (LSD, psilocin, DMT, mescaline) significantly affected T cell proliferation, CD69 activation, or cytokine release (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-21, MIB1b) at physiologically relevant concentrations. Similarly, classic psychedelics did not inhibit LPS-triggered NF-κB induction in monocytes.

Conclusion

Classic psychedelics do not directly stimulate proliferation or cytokine secretion in primary human T lymphocytes or affect monocytic NF-κB signaling. These findings support the safe use of psychedelics in assisted psychotherapy for patients with life-threatening diseases where immune suppression would be detrimental.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Psychiatry,
  • Study Type:In vitro experimental study,
  • Source: PMID: 36741125, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1042440
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