Can psychedelics soothe an overactive immune system? New meta-analysis investigates
· Medical Xpressby Sanjukta Mondal, Medical Xpress
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The same substances that can alter perception and shift moods are now drawing scientific interest for their potential therapeutic abilities. Researchers across the globe are investigating whether psychedelics, such as psilocybin from magic mushrooms or LSD, could help treat mental health and brain-related disorders. In a recent study, researchers gathered many such studies and carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on the anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties of serotonergic psychedelics.
Serotonergic psychedelics act by targeting the same receptors that respond to serotonin, a chemical messenger involved in regulating mood, communication between neurons and immune responses. The psychoactive drugs have chemical structures similar to serotonin, allowing them to bind directly to serotonin receptors in the brain and body.
Out of the 61 studies analyzed, most of the lab-grown cell studies and animal studies found that psychedelics reduce inflammation. The human results were more mixed, with only three of the 10 trials showing reduced inflammation. When the researchers combined the data from mouse studies, they found that serotonergic psychedelics show strong anti-inflammatory properties, but only when baseline inflammation is already elevated due to an overactive immune system. They had no effect in healthy mice.
The findings are published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
Hallucinogenic helpers
For diseases that affect the central nervous system, researchers are always on the lookout for therapeutics that can be used alongside conventional medication. Psychedelics are emerging as one such possibility, with studies reporting benefits across a range of psychiatric and neurological conditions, including depression, PTSD, Parkinson's disease and migraines.
By binding to serotonin receptors in the central nervous system, psychedelics activate neuroplasticity, helping the brain adapt, forge new connections and break free from the rigid neural patterns that fuel depression, anxiety and addiction.
Some studies suggest that psychedelics might influence the immune system, reducing elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in preclinical models with an overactive immune response. Since chronic inflammation is linked to mental health disorders, calming this inflammatory activity could be another way these substances impart their therapeutic effects.
A systematic dataset that brings together evidence from cell studies, animal research and human trials on psychedelics' effects on the immune system could help health care professionals assess whether psychedelic therapy has a place in clinical treatment. To address this need, the researchers searched six major databases for studies published up to Feb. 9, 2026.
Of the 9,195 studies they screened, 61 met the requirements: 24 were done in cell culture, 30 in animals and seven in humans, covering 10 separate trials.
What does the evidence say?
Across the trials, researchers found that 19 out of 24 laboratory cell studies and 25 out of 30 animal studies reported anti-inflammatory effects of serotonergic psychedelics, particularly when cells were exposed to an inflammatory threat or immune challenge. The data also showed that psychedelics did not suppress immune function across the board. In healthy animal models, the compounds did not significantly change cytokine levels.
In studies that reported anti-inflammatory effects, the team found that psychedelics acted through specific biological targets that help regulate immune activity. For instance, DOI and psilocybin primarily acted through the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, while DMT acted through the sigma-1 receptor.
While animal studies show promising anti-inflammatory effects, there isn't enough evidence to confirm that these benefits translate to humans. Seven out of the 10 human clinical trials did not include people with active inflammatory diseases.
Whether psychedelics can tackle inflammation when the immune system is overactive remains an open question that future studies involving people with active inflammatory conditions can address.
Written for you by our author Sanjukta Mondal, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Egan—this article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.
Publication details
Anna Skovgaard Lerche et al., Are psychedelics anti-inflammatory? A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining the immunomodulatory effects of serotonergic psychedelics, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity (2027). DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2026.107033
Journal information: Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
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PsychiatryAllergy and immunologyPsychology & Mental healthClinical pharmacologyNeurology Who's behind this story?
Sanjukta Mondal
Master's in Chemistry. Freelance science journalist and communicator. Published in Chemistry World, BioSpace, and The Hindu. Full profile →
Sadie Harley
BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →
Robert Egan
Bachelor's in mathematical biology, Master's in creative writing. Well-traveled with unique perspectives on science and language. Full profile →
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