Magic-mushroom compound blocks a severe side effect of chemotherapy in mice

Kozlov, Max

3 min read Original article ↗
  • NEWS

Study shows that psilocybin acts on nerves to prevent the painful condition called peripheral neuropathy.

By

  1. Max Kozlov

    1. Max Kozlov is a senior reporter with Nature in Washington DC.

For many cancer survivors, the triumph of remission is undercut by a debilitating side effect: hands and feet that feel as though they are constantly burning, prickling with needles or encased in ice. Now, researchers studying this condition, called neuropathy, in mice have identified an unexpected defence against it: psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms.

Access options

Access through your institution

Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals

Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription

$32.99 / 30 days

cancel any time

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 52 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.83 per issue

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-02744-6

References

  1. Heles, M. et al. Science 393, eaec6116 (2026).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Rucker, J. J. et al. Nature Med. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-026-04541-0 (2026).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Subjects

Latest on:

Nature Careers

Jobs