Fibromyalgia research is getting exciting! In a pilot of psilocybin-assisted therapy, 3 of 5 people rated their symptoms ‘much’ or ‘very much improved’, with clinically meaningful improvements in pain and sleep one month after the second dose. In a randomized trial, 8 of 12 people given ketamine had a pain drop of more than 50% fifteen minutes after the infusion, versus 3 of 12 given an active placebo. And in a survey of 354 people with fibromyalgia, 11 of 12 who used psychedelics to treat chronic pain reported improved symptoms! Encouraging to see careful research continuing, with most survey participants saying they would join a trial.
Key studies
Study 1. Psilocybin-assisted therapy in 5 people with fibromyalgia (Aday, 2025)
3 of 5 people with fibromyalgia rated their symptoms ‘much’ or ‘very much improved’ after psilocybin-assisted therapy!
In an open-label pilot trial, five adults with fibromyalgia (FM) received psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT): two psilocybin sessions two weeks apart, with preparation and integration psychotherapy sessions. Researchers reported no serious adverse events and clinically meaningful improvements one month after the second dose in pain severity (Cohen’s d = −2.1), pain interference (d = −1.8) and sleep disturbance (d = −2.5). On the Patient Global Impression of Change, one person reported feeling “very much improved” and two “much improved”!
“Using the Patient Global Impression of Change, one participant reported their symptoms "very much improved," two reported "much improved," and two reported "minimally improved."”
Abstract of the published study (text from Europe PMC), key sentence highlighted in yellow. Source: Study 1. Psilocybin-assisted therapy in 5 people with fibromyalgia (Aday, 2025) https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2025.1527783
Study 2. Ketamine compared with an active placebo in 24 people with fibromyalgia (Noppers, 2011)
8 of 12 people on ketamine had a pain drop of more than 50% fifteen minutes after the infusion, versus 3 of 12 on active placebo!
In a randomized, double-blind trial, 24 people with fibromyalgia received a 30-minute intravenous infusion of S-ketamine, a form of the dissociative anesthetic ketamine, or of midazolam as an active placebo. Researchers reported that 15 minutes after the infusion, 8 people in the ketamine group had a pain reduction of more than 50%, versus 3 in the midazolam group (P<0.05). Side effects were mild to moderate in both groups and declined rapidly!
“Fifteen min after termination of infusion the number of patients showing a reduction in pain scores >50% was 8 vs. 3 (P<0.05)”
Abstract of the published study (text from Europe PMC), key sentence highlighted in yellow. Source: Study 2. Ketamine compared with an active placebo in 24 people with fibromyalgia (Noppers, 2011) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpain.2011.03.008
Study 3. Past psychedelic use in 354 people with fibromyalgia (Glynos, 2023)
11 of 12 people with fibromyalgia who used psychedelics to treat chronic pain reported improved symptoms!
In an anonymous online survey of 354 people with fibromyalgia in North America, researchers asked about knowledge, views and past use of psychedelics; 29.9% reported past use, most often of LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. Researchers reported that among 12 participants who used psychedelics with the intention of treating chronic pain, 11 reported improved symptoms, that 36.8% perceived benefit overall, and that fewer than 3% reported negative impacts on overall health or pain symptoms. Most participants believed psychedelics have potential for chronic pain treatment and would be willing to join a psychedelic-based clinical trial!
“Among 12 participants who used psychedelics with intentions of treating chronic pain, 11 reported improved symptoms.”
Abstract of the published study (text from Europe PMC), key sentence highlighted in yellow. Source: Study 3. Past psychedelic use in 354 people with fibromyalgia (Glynos, 2023) https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2021.2022817
Related reading
- Boehnke KF, Pouyan N, Aday JS. Classic Psychedelics for Chronic Pain: A Critical Review of the Literature and Practical Advice for Clinicians. Drugs. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-026-02339-5 — A 2026 review highlighting preliminary signals of benefit across multiple pain conditions, including fibromyalgia, migraine and cluster headache, with promising preliminary outcomes and practical guidance for clinicians.
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This page summarizes published research for education only. It is not medical advice. Any change to a medication remains the decision of that person’s own prescriber.
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