Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40496249›Full record

ReviewNeurobiology of stress2025

Can the gut-brain axis provide insight into psilocybin's therapeutic value in reducing stress?

Alanna Kit, Kate Conway, Savannah Makarowski, Grace O'Regan, Josh Allen, Sandy R Shultz, Tamara S Bodnar, Brian R Christie

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Neurobiology of stress, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Alanna KitDivision of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Kate ConwayIsland Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Savannah MakarowskiDivision of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Grace O'ReganDivision of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Josh AllenDivision of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Sandy R ShultzDivision of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Tamara S BodnarDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Brian R ChristieDivision of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

There is growing interest in exploring the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of psilocybin on stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), addiction, and disordered eating. Despite promising progressions in preclinical and clinical research, the neurobiological and physiological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of psilocybin remain complex, involving multiple systems with numerous homeostatic feedback signaling pathways throughout the body. This review paper explores how psilocybin mechanistically interacts with the gut microbiota, enteric nervous system, hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and how psilocybin influences the bidirectional communication between peripheral and neuronal systems. Shifting towards a more integrated paradigm to unravel the mechanisms through which psilocybin affects the bidirectional gut-brain axis holds the promise of significantly advancing our understanding of psilocybin-based therapies from preparation of treatment, administration, to proceeding long-term integration. Such an understanding can extend beyond the treatment of psychiatric disorders, further encompassing a broader spectrum of inflammatory-related disorders.

Indexed as

5-HTHallucinogensInflammationMicrobiomeNeuropsychiatric disordersPsychedelics

Identifiers

PMID40496249
PMCPMC12151692

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.