Discussion
Long-COVID, also known as PASC, is a condition where individuals
continue to experience symptoms of COVID-19 long after the acute phase
of the illness has resolved. The symptoms of Long-COVID can be diverse
and can range from mild to severe, making it challenging to manage and
treat. Traditional treatment options for Long-COVID include
rehabilitation, physical therapy, and medications for specific symptoms
such as pain and fatigue.5 However, these treatment
options may not be effective for all individuals, and there is a need
for alternative treatment options.
A recent review has suggested that psychedelics could be an effective
treatment option for the mental health sequelae of
COVID-19.3 Psychedelics have been traditionally used
in spiritual and religious practices, but in recent years, there has
been a resurgence of research on the therapeutic potential of
psychedelics. Psychedelics have shown promise in the treatment of
various medical conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and
addiction.
The mechanisms by which psychedelics could improve Long-COVID symptoms
are not understood. The pathophysiology of Long-COVID symptoms include
chronic neuroinflammation and neurologic dysfunction.6Psychedelics are known to modulate the activity of neurotransmitters
such as serotonin and dopamine, leading to changes in brain connectivity
and potentially increasing neural plasticity. Psychedelics activate
areas of the brain that are involved in self-referential processing,
emotional regulation, and alter connectivity within and between
intrinsic brain networks such as the default mode network
(DMN).7 It has been hypothesized that the ability of
psychedelics to alter DMN connectivity infers benefit in chronic
neuropathic conditions by improving efficiency of these
networks.7 There is research showing alterations in
default mode network connectivity in patients with Long-COVID
symptoms.8 Other research has pointed to the effects
of psychedelics on gene expression as a means of influencing synaptic
plasticity and neural inflammation as well as decreasing acute phase
reactants, which could underlie the sustained benefits seen in studies
of depression and other chronic neuropathic
conditions.9