The Hidden Therapeutic Bridge: Exploring Psilocybin's Role in Depression, Inflammation, and Pain - A Narrative Review

Mental disorders are among the leading causes of non-fatal health loss worldwide and are associated with significant individual, social, and economic burdens. On the other hand, neuropathic pain affects approximately 7-8% of the world's adult population and is a leading reason for medical consultations. A bidirectional relationship between depression and pain has been widely documented. Depression is associated with increased pain perception, while chronic pain may predispose or exacerbate depressive symptoms. The complexity of these two pathologies and the limited efficacy of their current treatments call for research into alternative substances with greater therapeutic success. In this sense, psilocybin has aroused interest in Western medicine since it has been found to have great potential in the treatment of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and pain, among others. In this narrative review, a visualization analysis was conducted to assess the current landscape of psilocybin and psilocin research, spanning from its potential for depression treatment to its potential for pain management. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of these compounds are analyzed, as are their possible implications in the therapeutics of inflammation and pain, including their participation in the default mode network and the fundamental role of the mystical experiences they generate.