3034 results for "Psilocybin"
Acute Adverse Effects of Therapeutic Doses of Psilocybin
JAMA Network Open – April 10, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring alkaloid, shows a tolerable acute adverse effect profile as medicine for anxiety. A meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials, involving 528 participants (51% female), compared psilocybin to placebo. While influencing neurotransmitter receptors, common adverse effects included nausea (8.85 times more likely), dizziness (5.81 times more likely), and headache (1.99 times more likely). These acute reactions, relevant to internal medicine and drug studies on psychedelics, typically resolved within 48 hours in clinical trials.
Abstract
Importance Psilocybin has been studied in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Clinical studies have mainly focused on efficacy, with...
Psilocybin‐assisted group therapy in patients with cancer diagnosed with a major depressive disorder
Cancer – December 18, 2023
Summary
Half of patients with cancer experiencing major depressive disorder achieved full remission of depressive symptoms after a single psilocybin dose, sustained for eight weeks. This breakthrough in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, relevant to Oncology and Psychiatry, involved 30 participants. Psilocybin, a compound from Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, showed a robust 19.1-point reduction in depression severity, with 80% demonstrating a sustained response. This safe approach signals a promising new Medicine for mental health in Internal medicine, potentially expanding beyond traditional Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Abstract
Abstract Background Depression is common in patients with cancer and is associated with lower treatment adherence and reduced quality of life. Anti...
Repeated low doses of psilocybin increase resilience to stress, lower compulsive actions, and strengthen cortical connections to the paraventricular thalamic nucleus in rats.
Molecular psychiatry – September 01, 2023
Summary
Regular tiny doses of psilocybin made rats more stress-resistant and less prone to compulsive behaviors. The treatment strengthened brain connections without causing negative side effects. These findings support growing evidence that very small amounts of psilocybin may offer mental health benefits through specific changes in brain structure and behavior.
Abstract
Psilocybin (a classic serotonergic psychedelic drug) has received appraisal for use in psychedelic-assisted therapy of several psychiatric disorder...
Safety, tolerability, and clinical and neural effects of single-dose psilocybin in obsessive–compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, non-crossover trial
Frontiers in Psychiatry – April 25, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin shows promise for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A randomized controlled trial is investigating this hallucinogen's potential, enrolling 30 adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders unresponsive to standard medicine. Participants receive a single psilocybin dosing (0.25 mg/kg) or placebo in a non-crossover design. The clinical endpoint at 48 hours assesses symptom changes and tolerability, monitoring for adverse effects. This psychiatry and psychology study, part of broader psychedelics and drug studies, aims to advance OCD treatment.
Abstract
Background Psilocybin may help treat obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). To date, only one open-label study of psilocybin for OCD exists, necessit...
Psilocybin as a Treatment for Psychiatric Illness: A Meta-Analysis.
Cureus – November 01, 2022
Summary
The active compound in magic mushrooms shows remarkable promise in treating mental health conditions. Analysis of multiple clinical trials reveals that psilocybin therapy significantly reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with various psychiatric illnesses. When administered in controlled settings, this psychedelic compound helped 60-80% of participants experience meaningful improvement in their mental health conditions.
Abstract
Psilocybin is an emerging potential therapy for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses. Microdosing has been shown to result in an overall improvem...
Optimal dosing for psilocybin pharmacotherapy: Considering weight-adjusted and fixed dosing approaches
Journal of Psychopharmacology – February 20, 2021
Summary
Fixed-dose psilocybin, a promising pharmacotherapy for mood disorders, yields subjective psychological effects comparable to weight-adjusted dosing. In 10 drug studies with 288 participants (49-113 kg), 20-30 mg/70 kg psilocybin, a naturally occurring alkaloid, showed no body weight influence. This finding in pharmacology and medicine suggests fixed dosing simplifies administration, making this psychedelic treatment more accessible. The consistent psychological response implies stable neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, supporting fixed-dose practicality and lower cost.
Abstract
Background: Growing evidence suggests psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic, is a safe and promising pharmacotherapy for treatment of mood ...
Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy
Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) – June 15, 2021
Summary
A survey of 99 mental health service users reveals strong support for psychedelic medicine. A significant 72% backed further research into psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, with 59% supporting its use as a medical treatment in Psychiatry. Over half (55%) would accept psilocybin therapy if recommended by a doctor for their mental health. While 27% had prior recreational experience, one fifth (20%) still viewed psychedelics as unsafe. This offers valuable insights for Clinical psychology and future drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction Despite the rapid advance of psychedelic science and possible translation of psychedelic therapy into the psychiatric clinic,...
Psilocybin reduces low frequency oscillatory power and neuronal phase-locking in the anterior cingulate cortex of awake rodents
Scientific Reports – July 26, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain activity, offering insights for psychology and medicine. In neuroscience, recordings from the anterior cingulate cortex of awake mice show this psychedelic drug significantly reduces low-frequency brain oscillations while increasing overall neuron firing, with just under half of individual neurons showing increased activity. This desynchronizes cortical populations by altering neural phase modulation. These drug studies suggest psilocybin dissolves the default mode network, a key finding consistent with its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic compound that is showing promise in the ability to treat neurological conditions such as depression and pos...
HPLC Analysis of Hallucinogenic Mushroom Alkaloids (Psilocin and Psilocybin) Applying Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography (HILIC)
Journal of Forensic Research – January 01, 2016
Summary
A novel analytical chemistry breakthrough significantly improves quantifying the hallucinogen psilocybin in seized mushrooms. Traditional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) struggles with this polar compound. Now, an advanced hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) method, paired with mass spectrometry, ensures robust separation. Uniquely, psilocybin exhibits a retention factor approximately two times greater than psilocin, a key finding for psychedelics and drug studies. This refined chromatography technique, crucial for forensic chemistry, accurately assesses these alkaloids, enhancing justice system judgments.
Abstract
Hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocin and psilocybin psychoactive compounds are permanent offers on the black market palette. Reliable quant...
Repeated low doses of psilocybin increase resilience to stress, lower compulsive actions, and strengthen cortical connections to the paraventricular thalamic nucleus in rats
OpenAlex – January 05, 2023
Summary
Compellingly, repeated low doses of the serotonergic hallucinogen Psilocybin imparted stress resilience and reduced compulsive behaviors in rats, without causing anhedonia. This pharmacology model, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies in Psychology and Medicine, influenced neurotransmitter receptors, increasing 5-HT7 receptor expression and synaptic density. This Neuroscience finding, involving a psychotomimetic compound often from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, substantiates anecdotal microdosing benefits. It highlights how Psilocybin can impact behavior via receptor influence, establishing a validated regimen for future investigation.
Abstract
Psilocybin (a classic serotonergic psychedelic drug) has received appraisal for use in psychedelic-assisted therapy of several psychiatric disorder...
Psilocybin causes sex, time, and dose dependent alterations in brain signaling pathways
OpenAlex – December 17, 2024
Summary
Low-dose psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, exhibits molecular effects in the brain that can outlast high doses, persisting for at least seven days. This Neuroscience and Pharmacology insight from Drug Studies in mice reveals how this psychedelic alkaloid influences behavior. Females showed more rapid and robust transcriptional changes than males at 8 and 24 hours, responding strongly to both 0.25 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg doses. Such findings are crucial for Medicine and Psychology, informing future psilocybin treatment strategies and understanding its Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on mental health conditions.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a psychedelic tryptamine that has emerged as a potential candidate for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including t...
Alternative therapy for neurological and psychiatric disorders using psilocybin
OpenAlex – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin offers a compelling new approach for challenging mental health conditions. A systematic review of recent clinical and experimental studies reveals it significantly improves symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression, often requiring only a few doses. It effectively reduces symptom intensity for anxiety and PTSD, and shows efficacy in curbing addictions to substances like alcohol and nicotine. Under professional supervision, psilocybin appears to enhance brain connectivity, aiding trauma reprocessing and restructuring negative thought patterns, presenting a promising alternative therapy.
Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, psilocybin has been explored as an alternative therapy for neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as depressio...
Psilocybin as an antidepressant strategy - a review of safety aspects
European Psychiatry – March 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, appears remarkably safe and well-tolerated in controlled clinical settings, according to a review of Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Zero serious side effects were identified, with common, mild complaints including headache and nausea. The lethal dose is many times higher than therapeutic doses, and overdose deaths are absent. While risks like "bad trips" exist, these are primarily associated with recreational use, not supervised medical applications. This suggests psilocybin holds promise for Psychiatry and Mental Health, requiring careful Context for its therapeutic potential in Medicine and Psychology.
Abstract
Introduction Psilocybin is considered a classical psychedelic and is increasingly attracting scientific and media attention as an alternative appro...
Intravenous psilocybin administration attenuates mechanical hypersensitivity in a rat model of chronic pain
OpenAlex – August 28, 2023
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, offered remarkable long-term pain relief. Following formalin's subcutaneous injection to induce chronic pain in rats, one intravenous bolus of this medicine significantly reduced sensitivity to touch for 28 days in 26 animals, versus 13 given saline. This pharmacology suggests psilocybin's potential as an analgesic, influencing nociception. While not complete anesthesia, it offers new insights for complementary medicine, though its effect on heat sensitivity (hyperalgesia) was limited. This finding from Psychedelics and Drug Studies sparks interest in neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Abstract There is a renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, including psilocybin, in treating mental health disorders. Howev...
Ketamine and Psilocybin Differentially Impact Sensory LearningDuring the Mismatch Negativity
OpenAlex – September 26, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin (an alkaloid) and the chemical synthesis drug ketamine distinctly alter how our sensory system processes information, offering new avenues in Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience. Ketamine profoundly reduced the brain's ability to weigh incoming sensory data, particularly between 207-316 ms, affecting how it updates predictions. Both drugs, however, reduced the brain's confidence in its predictions around 160-184 ms. Drug studies reveal ketamine's significant impact on sensory processing and adaptation to change, while psilocybin's neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior is more nuanced. This understanding could tailor mental health therapies.
Abstract
Abstract Ketamine and psilocybin show potential as therapies for various mental illnesses, including major depressive disorder. However, further in...
Ketamine and Psilocybin Differentially Impact Sensory Learning During the Mismatch Negativity
OpenAlex – November 07, 2025
Summary
Ketamine profoundly impacts how the brain processes sensory information, significantly reducing its precision in frontal areas compared to placebo between 207 and 316 milliseconds. Psilocybin, however, showed no such effect. Both substances reduced the expression of belief precision, peaking at 172 milliseconds. For higher-level uncertainty, ketamine again reduced expression at 312 milliseconds, while psilocybin had no impact. These distinct neural effects on sensory learning suggest tailored therapies for major depression could be developed, leveraging the unique mechanisms of each hallucinogen.
Abstract
Abstract Ketamine and psilocybin show potential as therapies for various mental illnesses, including major depressive disorder. However, further in...
From fungi to pharmacy: Applied technologies in psilocybin production and its therapeutic applications
Creative Science – December 19, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent alkaloid, demonstrates rapid, sustained antidepressant efficacy in clinical trials, signaling a renaissance in Psychopharmacology. This naturally occurring compound, central to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, functions as a prodrug. Its active form modulates 5-HT2A receptors, enhancing neuroplasticity—a key mechanism explored in Neuroscience. Advances in chemical synthesis and microbial biosynthesis are revolutionizing its production, moving beyond traditional plant sources. This progress in Pharmacology and Drug discovery positions psilocybin as a transformative agent, bridging biological pathways from fungi to therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid found in over 200 species of fungi, has emerged as a focal point in the modern revival of psy...
Use of Psilocybin for Improving Health-Related Outcomes and Mental State in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: Protocol for a Living Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)
OpenAlex – August 22, 2022
Summary
A vital new meta-analysis is underway to rigorously assess psilocybin's potential in treating Major depressive disorder. This living review in clinical psychology and psychiatry will synthesize individual patient data from numerous randomized controlled trials, offering crucial insights into this psychedelic medicine. It will evaluate efficacy for depression and anxiety, considering factors like psilocybin dose and patient history. This comprehensive effort addresses a significant gap in Mental Health Research Topics, informing future applications of psychedelics in medicine and digital mental health interventions, particularly for severe depression.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic that induces feelings of euphoria and spiritual awakening when administered in doses of ...
Psilocybin's Emerging Role in Combating Depressive Disorder
Journal of Education Health and Sport – August 08, 2023
Summary
A compelling finding in Mental Health Research Topics: Psilocybin, a naturally synthesized hallucinogen, shows remarkable promise for treating persistent depression and anxiety. Clinical psychology trials reveal that combined with psychotherapy, this psychedelic provides enduring alleviation of symptoms, with improvements largely equivalent to standard antidepressant medicine. Psilocybin influences the default mode network, fostering neuroplasticity and altering cognition. This neuroscience-backed approach in psychiatry could revolutionize medicine, offering new hope for widespread psychological challenges.
Abstract
In this review paper, we delve into the potential applicability of psilocybin - a naturally synthesized psychedelic substance found within select s...
Mental health outcomes following a psilocybin session within Oregon’s state-regulated model: A naturalistic study
OpenAlex – February 19, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin sessions in Oregon's regulated framework resulted in significant improvements in mental health, with 88 participants reporting enhanced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and well-being 30 days post-session. The median age was 43 years, with 52% male and 46.6% concurrently using psychiatric medication. Participants consumed an average dose of 27.8 mg TPE. Notably, only 2.3% experienced short-term adverse effects like hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, which resolved by the follow-up period. This highlights psilocybin's potential as a therapeutic tool in clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract Background In 2020, Oregon became the first U.S. state to establish a regulated framework for adults to access psilocybin services using n...
Implications for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: functional magnetic resonance imaging study with psilocybin
The British Journal of Psychiatry – January 27, 2012
Summary
The hallucinogen Psilocybin significantly enhances the vividness of autobiographical memory, a key finding in cognitive psychology. Functional magnetic resonance imaging with 10 participants revealed additional visual and sensory cortical activations in the prefrontal cortex during memory recall under psilocybin, absent with placebo. Participants rated memory vividness and visual imagery significantly higher after psilocybin. This neuroscience insight, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests psilocybin's influence on neurotransmitter receptors could improve cognition and psychological recall, potentially aiding therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Background Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic drug that has a history of use in psychotherapy. One of the rationales for its use was that it aids ...
Safety and Efficacy of Microdosing Psilocybin over 8 Weeks for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
OpenAlex – February 23, 2026
Summary
Microdosing psilocybin shows promise as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). In a clinical trial with 39 adults, both psilocybin and placebo groups experienced significant reductions in depressive symptoms after four weeks, with mean differences of -5.4 and -6.0 on the PHQ-9 scale, respectively. Notably, those starting with psilocybin reported greater symptom reduction on the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale compared to the placebo group. Overall, psilocybin was safe and well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects reported during the study period.
Abstract
Abstract IMPORTANCE Microdosing psilocybin may be a novel treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). OBJECTIVE Assessing the antidepressant eff...
The phenomenology of psilocybin's experience mediates subsequent persistent psychological effects independently of sex, previous experience, or setting.
Pharmacological reports : PR – June 16, 2025
Summary
The lasting positive effects of psilocybin depend on the acute experience, not factors like prior use or sex. Researchers explored this in 40 healthy individuals, some with previous experience, who received repeated administration of psilocybin. Findings revealed significant, enduring positive psychological changes. Even initially challenging acute sessions resolved positively, and benefits were consistent across all participants, irrespective of sex or prior psilocybin experience. Peak positive feelings during the experience strongly predicted these favorable long-term outcomes, underscoring psilocybin's safety and potential for repeated use.
Abstract
Recent studies intensively explore psilocybin's antidepressant potential, but variables like previous experience, repeated use, setting, and sex re...
Psilocybin prevents reinstatement of alcohol seeking by disrupting the reconsolidation of alcohol-related memories.
Psychopharmacology – July 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics may help break the cycle of alcoholism by disrupting how the brain stores drinking-related memories. Research with alcohol-dependent rats shows that psilocybin, when given during memory reconsolidation, significantly reduced alcohol-seeking behavior. While it didn't affect immediate drinking habits, it proved effective at weakening the powerful memories that often trigger relapse in addiction.
Abstract
For most psychiatric conditions, including alcohol use disorder (AUD), FDA-approved pharmacological treatments are limited and their efficacy is re...
Psilocybin acutely alters the functional connectivity of the claustrum with brain networks that support perception, memory, and attention.
NeuroImage – September 01, 2020
Summary
The brain's enigmatic claustrum, a tiny, globally connected hub, profoundly shifts its activity and connections. Using fMRI during a resting state, researchers found psilocybin, a Psychedelic, significantly altered claustrum functional connectivity. Connections increased to attention networks while decreasing to those for self-reflection and memory. These profound shifts were directly tied to the Serotonin 2A receptor. This pioneering work is the first to show Serotonin 2A receptor signaling influences claustrum function, highlighting its vital role in Psychedelics' subjective and potential therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs, including the serotonin 2a (5-HT2A) receptor partial agonist psilocybin, are receiving renewed attention for their possible effi...
Yale Program for Psychedelic Science (YPPS) Manual for Psilocybin Combined with Non-Directive Support in the Treatment of OCD
OpenAlex – March 17, 2023
Summary
A new randomized controlled trial explores the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen and alkaloid, for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Participants receive two doses (25mg, then 25mg or 30mg) one week apart, alongside non-directive psychological support. This pharmacology investigation, part of psychedelic medicine, aims to understand how repeated dosing impacts OCD symptoms. Clinical psychology principles guide facilitators, offering psychotherapeutic support. The study integrates medicine and psychology, exploring a novel treatment strategy for a challenging psychiatric condition.
Abstract
The Yale Program for Psychedelic Science (YPPS) supports a multi-disciplinary research community dedicated to investigating the effects of psychede...
Exploring Psychedelics Pharmacology: A Scoping Review Charting the Course of Psilocybin Pharmacokinetics
Clinical Neuropharmacology – December 30, 2024
Summary
Oral psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, shows a strong dose-dependent effect on its maximum concentration (Cmax) in the body (R^2 = 0.95). A review of five controlled drug studies, involving 112 healthy volunteers, mapped the pharmacokinetics of this psychedelic medicine. Peak psilocin levels (Cmax) reached 8.2 to 37.2 ng/mL within two hours, with no serious adverse effects. This pharmacology data, including confidence interval insights, is crucial for future medicine applications. This forensic toxicology insight is vital for understanding chemical synthesis and alkaloids.
Abstract
Objectives This scoping review aimed to synthesize the existing data about psilocybin pharmacokinetics to learn what has been described regarding b...
Psilocybin Outside the Clinic
JAMA Psychiatry – November 05, 2025
Summary
Over 7 million Americans reported psilocybin mushroom use last year, coinciding with a sharp rise in poison control calls. Unregulated products show over 20-fold variability in potency, and co-use with cannabis is common, potentially increasing adverse event risks. Clinical trial data, based on controlled environments, do not reflect real-world public use. These trends, particularly among adults aged 19 to 50, raise urgent public health concerns regarding product consistency and harm reduction strategies.
Abstract
Importance Psilocybin use has surged in the US following decriminalization efforts and promising clinical trial results. Mirroring early cannabis l...
Psilocybin or Nicotine Patch for Smoking Cessation: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
Mendeley Data – February 02, 2026
Summary
A compelling randomized controlled trial reveals a single psilocybin session dramatically boosts smoking cessation. Among 82 participants, 40.5% receiving this hallucinogen achieved prolonged abstinence at six months, versus just 10% using a nicotine patch. This medicine, administered without anesthesia, showed a 6.1 times higher likelihood of prolonged abstinence from nicotine. This novel approach in psychiatry offers robust promise for smoking cessation, with no serious adverse effects reported, presenting a powerful alternative to conventional treatments.
Abstract
BACKGROUND. Annual tobacco-related deaths are estimated at 480,000 in the US and 8 million worldwide, dwarfing mortality for all other drugs of abu...
Psilocybin as a fast-acting and long-lasting antidepressant for adolescence: Proposing NeuroD1 as a biomarker of its long-term plasticity
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy – October 30, 2025
Summary
Oral psilocybin rapidly and lastingly reduced depression-like behaviors in adolescent rats of both sexes. Administered orally at 0.3 or 1 mg/kg, a single dose showed antidepressant-like effects within 30 minutes. Repeated daily doses over 7 days also improved mood and boosted brain cell growth. These positive effects persisted for up to 15 days after treatment, offering a promising avenue for treating adolescent depression, which often resists conventional therapies. Hallucinogenic-like responses were also observed.
Abstract
Adolescent depression is a significant public health concern, yet treatment options remain limited, particularly due to age- and sex-related differ...
Exploratory Controlled Study of the Migraine-Suppressing Effects of Psilocybin.
Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics – January 01, 2021
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin significantly reduced weekly migraine days for weeks. Researchers explored psilocybin as a potential preventive treatment for migraine headache, administering either psilocybin or a placebo to participants. Findings revealed a single dose led to a significant reduction in migraine frequency over two weeks compared to placebo. Importantly, these lasting therapeutic effects were not linked to acute psychedelic experiences. This highlights the promise of psychedelics like psilocybin for enduring relief.
Abstract
While anecdotal evidence suggests that select 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptor ligands, including psilocybin, may have long-lasting therape...
Acute effects of psilocybin on attention and executive functioning in healthy volunteers: a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis.
Psychopharmacology – June 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin's effects on cognitive performance reveal an intriguing pattern: while the psychedelic temporarily slows reaction time, it largely preserves accuracy in mental tasks. This comprehensive meta-analysis of 13 studies examined how psilocybin impacts attention and executive function, including working memory. Results show dose-dependent effects, with higher doses causing slower responses but maintaining overall accuracy in cognitive tasks.
Abstract
Psilocybin shows promise for treating neuropsychiatric disorders. However, insight into its acute effects on cognition is lacking. Given the signif...
Pyramidal cell types and 5-HT 2A receptors are essential for psilocybin’s lasting drug action
OpenAlex – November 03, 2024
Summary
Silencing specific brain cells can completely eliminate the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin. This hallucinogen, an alkaloid studied in psychedelics and drug studies, increases dendritic spine density in two pyramidal cell types. However, only subcortical-projecting (PT) neurons, when silenced, abolish the drug's action on stress-related behaviors. Psilocybin boosts synaptic activity and firing rates exclusively in PT neurons. This drug's action relies on the 5-HT2A receptor, a key neurotransmitter receptor influencing behavior. This neuroscience and pharmacology insight pinpoints PT cells and the 5-HT2A receptor as crucial for psilocybin's long-term effects.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with therapeutic potential for treating mental illnesses 1–4 . At the cellular level, psychedelic...
The impact of antidepressant discontinuation prior to treatment with psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.
Journal of psychiatric research – December 01, 2024
Summary
Challenging conventional wisdom, stopping antidepressants before psilocybin therapy doesn't reduce its effectiveness in treating severe depression. In a groundbreaking clinical trial with 233 participants, researchers found that people who discontinued antidepressants responded just as well to psilocybin treatment as those who were medication-free. The psychedelic experience and therapeutic benefits remained strong for all participants, regardless of prior medication status.
Abstract
It has been suggested that the recent use and discontinuation of antidepressant drugs compromises the action of psilocybin. As evidence is only ava...
Effects of psilocybin on uncertain punishment learning.
Neurobiology of learning and memory – September 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin shows promise in treating anxiety by changing how we process reward and risk. New research reveals that this compound affects decision-making differently during initial learning versus after mastering a task. When faced with situations mixing reward and potential punishment, psilocybin made subjects more cautious while learning but more confident after mastering the task, suggesting it helps optimize responses to conflict.
Abstract
Psilocybin may provide a useful treatment for mood disorders including anxiety and depression but its mechanisms of action for these effects are no...
Developing the Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus consensus measures for assessment of supervised psilocybin services: An e-Delphi study
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 18, 2024
Summary
Ensuring safety and quality is paramount as legal psilocybin services emerge. Using a three-phase Delphi method, 36 experts in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, 64% actively providing psilocybin services, established crucial best practices. Through qualitative research and thematic analysis, they prioritized 11 process, 11 outcome, and 17 structure measures. These include preparatory hours, adverse event monitoring, and facilitator training, vital for applied psychology, clinical psychology, and psychiatry. This framework monitors community-based psilocybin services, promoting responsible integration into medicine.
Abstract
Background: Voter initiatives in Oregon and Colorado authorize legal frameworks for supervised psilocybin services, but no measures monitor safety ...
Pharmacological and behavioural effects of tryptamines present in psilocybin‐containing mushrooms
British Journal of Pharmacology – June 02, 2024
Summary
Norbaeocystin, a naturally occurring tryptamine, shows promising antidepressant-like effects without causing hallucinations, unlike psilocybin. Pharmacology studies revealed norbaeocystin improved outcomes in a rodent psychology test for depression, similar to psilocybin. While psilocybin induced head twitch responses, a marker of hallucinogenic potential, norbaeocystin did not. Both compounds were metabolized similarly and showed minimal impact on kidney and liver health. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggest norbaeocystin, a tryptamine alkaloid, could offer a non-hallucinogenic alternative in Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, expanding therapeutic options.
Abstract
Background and Purpose Demand for new antidepressants has resulted in a re‐evaluation of the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs. Several tr...
Psilocybin reduces alcohol self-administration via selective left nucleus accumbens activation in rats
Brain – May 04, 2024
Summary
A powerful hallucinogen, psilocybin, drastically reduced alcohol self-administration by 50% in male rats. This Neuroscience and Pharmacology insight reveals that psilocybin, an alkaloid from chemical synthesis, influences neurotransmitter receptors. Specifically, injecting psilocybin (0.15 μg) into the left nucleus accumbens, a brain region crucial for reward, halved alcohol intake. This effect, vital for future Medicine and Psychology applications in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, was mediated by 5-HT2A receptors and increased dopamine D2 receptor mRNA.
Abstract
Abstract The use of psilocybin to treat alcohol use disorder is very promising, but its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. We combined ...
Psilocybin therapy and anorexia nervosa: a narrative review of safety considerations for researchers and clinicians.
Journal of eating disorders – April 24, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin therapy shows promising safety results for treating anorexia nervosa, offering hope for those struggling with this challenging eating disorder. Clinical trials reveal that while psilocybin can cause temporary effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure, these adverse effects are generally manageable with proper medical oversight. Careful monitoring and tailored safety protocols make this innovative treatment approach viable for most patients.
Abstract
Clinical trials using psilocybin therapy to treat anorexia nervosa (AN) are currently underway. The safety and tolerability of psilocybin is of utm...
The Promise of Therapeutic Psilocybin: An Evaluation of the 134 Clinical Trials, 54 Potential Indications, and 0 Marketing Approvals on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2024
Summary
Despite growing excitement around psychedelic therapy, psilocybin's path to FDA approval faces unique challenges. Analysis reveals 134 clinical trials exploring this compound's potential for mental health conditions, but most are small, single-site studies with 10-20 participants. While psilocin (psilocybin's active form) shows promise, only three advanced trials have emerged recently. This scattered approach across 54 different treatment areas may actually be slowing therapeutic development rather than accelerating it.
Abstract
Psilocybin, a tryptamine psychedelic, has been touted in the media both historically and recently as a potential game-changing mental health therap...
Dynamic Functional Hyperconnectivity After Psilocybin Intake Is Primarily Associated With Oceanic Boundlessness.
Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging – July 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin creates a unique brain state where neural connections become highly dynamic and integrated, leading to profound shifts in consciousness. Research using fMRI scans revealed that when people received psilocybin, their brains showed increased connectivity across regions, particularly during feelings of unity and boundlessness. Brain activity patterns matched participants' reported experiences on the 5D-ASC scale, suggesting that heightened neural communication underlies the substance's consciousness-expanding effects.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a widely studied psychedelic substance that leads to the psychedelic state, a specific altered state of consciousness. To date, the r...
Psilocybin’s Potential Mechanisms in the Treatment of Depression: A Systematic Review
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 29, 2023
Summary
The psychedelic psilocybin, a hallucinogen, offers antidepressant promise in psychiatry. A review of 14 articles, selected from 2,193 identified papers, explores its complex mechanism (biology). Six papers linked psilocybin's action to serotonin or glutamate receptor activity. Three found increased synaptogenesis, while five noted altered functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. This neuroscience highlights how psilocybin, a chemical synthesis alkaloid, influences behavior via neurotransmitter receptor changes, advancing medicine and psychology through drug studies.
Abstract
Evidence suggests that psilocybin has therapeutic benefit for treating depression. However, there is little consensus regarding the mechanism by wh...
Psychedelic Treatment with Psilocybin: Addressing Medical Malpractice Risk and Physicians’ Concerns
The Journal of Law Medicine & Ethics – January 01, 2025
Summary
A major hurdle for integrating psilocybin treatment into Medicine is the significant risk of medical malpractice liability. Despite promising clinical trials for anxiety and depression, physicians face reluctance due to the hallucinogen's stigma. The absence of established medical standards, standardized training, and clear credentialing for administering psychedelics like psilocybin significantly heightens liability concerns for Psychiatry and Psychology professionals. This lack of defined practice guidelines contributes to potential malpractice claims, hindering psilocybin's therapeutic integration. Addressing these gaps is crucial for realizing its potential in Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic treatment with psilocybin is receiving increased attention following clinical trials showing it may help treat end-of-life anx...
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the use of psilocybin by veterans with symptoms of trauma
Drug Science Policy and Law – January 01, 2022
Summary
Veterans using psilocybin for trauma symptoms reported immediate and long-term improvements. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis involving seven veterans revealed all perceived barriers to traditional Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology treatments. For these individuals, the hallucinogen psilocybin, an alkaloid explored in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, offered an alternative when conventional medicine and psychotherapist-led care felt inaccessible. This suggests a role for psilocybin in mental health psychology, warranting further Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies.
Abstract
Veterans are at increased risk of experiencing symptoms of trauma. Although many benefit from available treatments, some find treatment inaccessibl...
Psilocybin alters brain activity related to sensory and cognitive processing in a time-dependent manner
OpenAlex – September 11, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain activity, impacting cognition and sensory processing. A neuroscience study with 20 healthy individuals revealed psilocybin significantly increased brain signal diversity acutely. Crucially, changes in the Default Mode Network’s gamma connectivity correlated with "oceanic boundlessness," a core psychological aspect of the psychedelic experience. This suggests how psilocybin, a chemical influencing neurotransmitter systems, reshapes self-perception. EEG measurements also showed acute decreases in alpha brainwave activity and altered global connectivity, offering insights into its effects on the sensory system.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic and a novel treatment for mood disorders. Psilocybin induces dose-dependent transient (4-6 hours) usua...
Repeated low doses of psilocybin reduces perceived symptom severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder, but fails to restore cognitive flexibility: A case study of identical twins
OpenAlex – December 30, 2024
Summary
Low-dose psilocybin shows promise for Obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms, even without psychedelic effects. A case involving identical twins (N=2) revealed the affected twin experienced a notable reduction in OCD symptomatology and improved emotional well-being after self-administering psilocybin. However, despite these improvements in behavior, deficits in cognitive flexibility persisted compared to the unaffected twin. This suggests that while psilocybin may alleviate certain aspects of clinical psychology, it might not fully address underlying cognition impairments. This area of Psychedelics and Drug Studies warrants further investigation.
Abstract
Background: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) presents significant challenges to individuals mental health, characterized by intrusive thoughts a...
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ESCITALOPRAM AND PSILOCYBIN THERAPY AND BRAIN RESTING-STATE FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIVITY IN MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – February 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, distinctly impacts brain functional connectivity compared to Escitalopram in Major Depressive Disorder. In a Medicine and Psychiatry study, 45 patients (24 on Psilocybin, 21 on Escitalopram) underwent resting state fMRI. Both treatments reduced anhedonia and impulsivity. However, Psilocybin enhanced amygdala and limbic striatal network connectivity with regions like the insula, suggesting distinct Neuroscience mechanisms. Escitalopram reduced limbic striatal-insula connectivity, correlating with anhedonia improvement. This Clinical psychology research on Psychedelics and Drug Studies offers insights into Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior for Mental Health Research Topics.
Abstract
Abstract Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent mental health condition characterized by symptoms including anhedonia, which is defi...
Electrophysiological effects of psilocybin co-administered with midazolam
OpenAlex – July 29, 2025
Summary
Imagine experiencing a profound psychedelic journey without memory of it. A pilot study in **psychedelics and drug studies** gave participants 25 mg of psilocybin—an **alkaloid** from **chemical synthesis**—with a sedative. This allowed the full psychedelic experience, blunting recall. Brain activity showed distinct patterns: initially, increased beta power; then, as psilocybin's **neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior** grew over six hours, increased brain complexity and altered power. Psilocybin's effects persist despite memory suppression, supporting mechanistic studies.
Abstract
Abstract The serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin induces neural plasticity and profoundly alters consciousness. The benzodiazepine midazolam blunts...
Psilocybin alleviates high-glucose and high-lipid-induced skin aging in BJ5Ta fibroblasts
Biochemistry and Cell Biology – January 01, 2025
Summary
A naturally occurring alkaloid, psilocybin, shows remarkable potential in reversing cellular skin aging. When human fibroblasts were exposed to a high-glucose and high-lipid diet (25 mmol/L glucose, 400 µmol/L palmitic acid), psilocybin treatments significantly preserved cell viability. Specifically, 10 µmol/L psilocybin co-treatment reduced cell death and upregulated elastin, crucial for skin elasticity. Another dosage, 15 µmol/L, decreased inflammatory markers like IL-1β. These findings, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggest this compound's antioxidative properties could offer new avenues for skin health, with implications for Body Image Studies.
Abstract
Cellular aging, driven by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation, is exacerbated by a high-glucose and high-lipid (HGHL) die...
Microdosing Psilocybin for Major Depressive Disorder: Study Protocol for a Phase II Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Partial Crossover Trial
OpenAlex – November 16, 2025
Summary
Could microdosing psilocybin offer a new path for the 322 million people affected by major depression? A new double-blind trial will investigate this by giving 40 adults with depression either 2 mg psilocybin or placebo weekly for four weeks. All participants then receive psilocybin for another four weeks. This rigorous approach will assess safety, tolerability, and preliminary antidepressant effects, alongside measures of mood, well-being, and creativity, to inform future treatment discussions.
Abstract
Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting roughly 322 million people. Recently, doses of ...
Psilocybin reduces depressive-like behavior and improves cognition in healthy aging mice via epigenetic regulation of plasticity- and immune-related genes
OpenAlex – November 05, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin dramatically improved memory in aged female mice and reduced depressive-like behavior in both sexes. In 11-month-old male and female C57BL/6 mice, two doses of psilocybin (1mg/kg) reversed age-related epigenetic changes. It altered DNA methylation in brain regions like the right hippocampus of females, affecting pathways for synaptic organization and neuroimmune signaling. This epigenetic remodeling, including at the *Tbr1* gene, underpins psilocybin's cognitive benefits, suggesting its potential for promoting aging resilience.
Abstract
Abstract For many, cognitive and affective health declines through typical aging. Although cognitive and affective symptoms are often studied in is...
Supplementary file 2_Improved mental health outcomes and normalised spontaneous EEG activity in veterans reporting a history of traumatic brain injuries following participation in a psilocybin retreat.docx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – August 06, 2025
Summary
Veterans with traumatic brain injuries experienced profound mental health improvements following psilocybin retreats. Among 21 participants, clinical depression scores decreased by 65%, PTSD by 50%, and anxiety by 28%. This positions psilocybin as a promising tool in Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology for addressing mental illness. Electroencephalography revealed brain changes suggesting enhanced neuroplasticity and improved neural communication, offering a new frontier in Medicine. These significant psychological benefits, including reduced arousal, underscore psilocybin's potential to foster well-being and alleviate complex mental health challenges.
Abstract
Introduction Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, has shown therapeutic potential in treating mental health disorders by, amongst the many effec...
Transcriptional regulation in the rat prefrontal cortex and hippocampus after a single administration of psilocybin
Journal of Psychopharmacology – November 04, 2020
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound from "magic mushrooms," rapidly boosts gene expression linked to neuroplasticity, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. In a study with 20 rats, doses of psilocybin (0.5–20 mg/kg) significantly increased the expression of genes like Cebpb and Sgk1. The prefrontal cortex showed more pronounced changes than the hippocampus, highlighting its crucial role in plasticity. Notably, protein levels for key genes only partially matched transcription data, underscoring the need to evaluate protein translation alongside gene expression in understanding psilocybin's effects.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic found in “magic mushrooms” with a putative therapeutic potential for treatment-resistant depre...
The mixed serotonin receptor agonist psilocybin reduces threat-induced modulation of amygdala connectivity
NeuroImage Clinical – August 22, 2015
Summary
Psilocybin significantly alters emotional processing by shifting biases from negative to positive stimuli. In a study analyzing fMRI data from 30 participants, it was revealed that psilocybin decreased amygdala activity during threat processing, which may explain its mood-enhancing effects. Specifically, psilocybin reduced the top-down influence of the amygdala on the primary visual cortex, suggesting a neural mechanism for improved emotional states. These insights could have vital implications for addressing mood and anxiety disorders through psychedelics and cognitive psychology approaches.
Abstract
Stimulation of serotonergic neurotransmission by psilocybin has been shown to shift emotional biases away from negative towards positive stimuli. W...
Psilocybin and the glutamatergic pathway: implications for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases.
Pharmacological reports : PR – December 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin shows remarkable potential in treating depression by triggering a cascade of brain chemistry changes. The compound works by activating 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, which increases glutamate release. This boost in glutamate leads to higher GABA activity, creating a balanced brain state that helps alleviate depressive symptoms and promotes neural adaptability.
Abstract
In recent decades, psilocybin has gained attention as a potential drug for several mental disorders. Clinical and preclinical studies have provided...
Impact of psilocybin on cognitive function: A systematic review
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences – October 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, significantly enhances emotional empathy, a compelling finding for psychology. A review of 20 articles, involving 2,959 participants (85% healthy), explored this psychedelic's influence on cognition. While global cognitive function and processing speed remained stable, working memory and executive function improved, particularly for clinical psychology patients with treatment-resistant depression. Cognitive flexibility showed initial decline but potential for later improvement. Effects on episodic memory were less pronounced. This complex interplay highlights psilocybin's impact on cognitive psychology and behavior.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic with demonstrated preliminary clinical efficacy in a range of psychiatric disorders. Evaluating the impact of p...
Efficacy and acceptability of psilocybin for primary or secondary depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Frontiers in Psychiatry – February 15, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, shows significant promise as an antidepressant medicine. A meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials, involving 524 adult patients, revealed a large therapeutic effect (Hedges' g = -0.89) for major depressive disorder. This psychiatry research, drawing from the Cochrane Library, suggests psilocybin's benefits increase with dose. While generally well-tolerated, adverse effects can occur, highlighting the need for careful pharmacology. This area of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, exploring chemical synthesis and alkaloids, offers a compelling complementary or alternative medicine approach in internal medicine and psychology.
Abstract
Introduction Psilocybin is a classic psychedelics, which has been shown to have antidepressant effects by many studies in recent years. In this stu...
Safety, feasibility, tolerability, and clinical effects of repeated psilocybin dosing combined with non-directive support in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial with blinded ratings
Frontiers in Psychiatry – January 09, 2024
Summary
A new clinical trial is investigating psilocybin as a medicine for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), an Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorder. This randomized controlled trial enrolls 30 adults with treatment-refractory OCD, evaluating the safety, tolerability, and clinical effects of a two-dose psilocybin protocol. Participants receive 25mg, followed by 25mg or 30mg, with non-directive support. The psychiatry and psychology research aims to understand optimal dosing and mechanisms, advancing psychedelic drug studies for this challenging condition while carefully monitoring any adverse effect.
Abstract
Background To date, few randomized controlled trials of psilocybin with non-directive support exist for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Result...
Effect of a single psilocybin treatment on Fos protein expression in male rat brain.
Neuroscience – February 16, 2024
Summary
The psychedelic compound psilocybin activates both neurons and support cells in key emotional brain regions. Scientists found that it particularly affects the central amygdala, an area crucial for processing emotions. The compound triggers cellular changes through C-fos activation, suggesting how it might help with mental health conditions. These changes occur in both nerve cells and oligodendrocytes, revealing a broader impact than previously known.
Abstract
Psilocybin has received attention as a treatment for depression, stress disorders and drug and alcohol addiction. To help determine the mechanisms ...
In silico characterization of the psilocybin biosynthesis pathway.
Computational biology and chemistry – June 01, 2023
Summary
Scientists mapped how magic mushrooms create psilocybin, their key psychedelic compound. Using molecular modeling, they decoded how four enzymes in Psilocybe cubensis work together during biosynthesis to transform a common amino acid into psilocybin. This breakthrough explains how these fungi produce their therapeutic compounds and opens doors for lab-based production.
Abstract
Nearly all mushrooms of the Psilocybe genus contain the natural product psilocybin, which is a psychoactive alkaloid derived from l-tryptophan. Con...