Pilot Study Shows Psilocybin Reduces Lyme Symptoms

Johns Hopkins pilot trial found psilocybin significantly improved symptom burden in patients with post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD).

A Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research pilot study with 20 participants reported substantial symptom reductions after psilocybin administration. Participants received initial doses of 15 mg followed by 25 mg two weeks later. At two weeks post-final dose, 52% of participants showed reduced overall symptom burden. By six months, 40–50% experienced lower symptom burden. The trial also documented 50–60% reductions in depressive symptoms and 40–50% improvements in sleep and pain scores. Crucially, the U.S. CDC clarifies that 'chronic Lyme disease' is discouraged as PTLD does not involve ongoing bacterial infection. This pilot, however, lacks a placebo group and randomized design, and its results require further validation through controlled trials. The findings indicate potential for symptom relief but do not establish causation or address patient misinterpretation risks beyond the CDC's terminology guidance. The source provides no evidence that symptom misclassification delays antibiotic treatment for active Lyme disease.

Source: ScienceAlert