Tag

Psilocybin

All articles tagged with #psilocybin

neuroscience18 days ago•20 min saved

Psilocybin’s 5-HT2A activation linked to lasting brain plasticity in mice

A mouse study shows psilocybin dose-dependently activates the brain’s 5-HT2A receptors in the prefrontal cortex, with an inverted-U relationship for acute behaviors. The following day, moderate doses reduced anxiety-like exploration and higher doses decreased depression-like immobility, coinciding with changes in microtubule dynamics and increased synaptic plasticity proteins—primarily in the prefrontal cortex, not the amygdala—suggesting a neural mechanism for lasting antidepressant effects, though results in animals may not directly translate to humans.

via PsyPost|

#5-ht2a #amygdala #neuroplasticity

neuroimaging22 days ago•28 min saved

Psilocybin reshapes brain rhythms and connectivity, predicting psychedelic intensity

An EEG study of 25 healthy volunteers shows psilocybin shifts the brain from a resting state to a dynamically engaged pattern by reducing slow theta/alpha power and increasing fast beta/gamma activity, with enhanced connectivity in the default mode network and parietal networks that correlates with the intensity of the psychedelic experience. Baseline fast-wave activity in frontal/emotional regions also predicted response to the drug. Using a double-blind, randomized crossover design (10–20 mg psilocybin vs placebo), researchers highlight potential biomarkers to guide psychedelic-assisted therapies, while noting limitations from the small, healthy-sample size and the need for clinical population studies and autonomic markers like heart-rate variability.

via PsyPost|

#brain-rhythms #default-mode-network #eeg

psychopharmacology26 days ago•26 min saved

Magic mushrooms' effects may hinge on a multi-compound entourage, not just psilocybin

A Scientific Reports study using computational modeling suggests eight bioactive compounds in psilocybin-producing mushrooms may interact with brain targets and produce effects via an entourage effect, with some compounds potentially binding serotonin receptors even more strongly than psilocybin and beta-carbolines inhibiting monoamine oxidase A to prolong serotonin signaling; results are theoretical and based on simulations, and experimental work including cerebral organoids is planned to validate them.

via PsyPost|

#entourage-effect #monoamine-oxidase-a #psilocybin

health26 days ago•4 min saved

Psilocybin shows promise to beat nicotine patches for quitting smoking

A Johns Hopkins study found that a single high dose of psilocybin paired with cognitive behavioral therapy helped more smokers quit after six months than nicotine patches, with 17 abstinent in the psilocybin group versus 4 in the patch group and roughly 50% fewer cigarettes on average between the quit date and six-month follow-up. The study notes limitations (no placebo, participants were mostly educated and not racially diverse, and many had prior psychedelic experience) and plans a larger trial to confirm efficacy and explore scalability and cost-efficiency.

via New York Post|

#cognitive-behavioral-therapy #health #johns-hopkins

nationworld1 month ago•3 min saved

Lil Jon's Son Nathan Smith: Accidental Drowning Linked to Psilocybin

Fulton County Medical Examiner ruled Lil Jon's son Nathan Smith's death an accidental drowning in the setting of psilocybin use; a blood test detected psilocin, the active compound of psilocybin. Smith, also known as DJ Young Slade, was found Feb. 6 in a Milton, Georgia pond after being reported missing Feb. 3; authorities found no foul play. Smith was an NYU graduate and music producer.

via kare11.com|

#accidental-death #drowning #lil-jon

music1 month ago•14 min saved

Lil Jon’s Son Nathan Smith Died in Accidental Drowning Linked to Psilocybin

Nathan Smith, Lil Jon’s 27-year-old son (DJ Young Slade), died in early February from an accidental drowning with psilocybin in his system, per the Fulton County Medical Examiner. He went missing on Feb. 3 and was found in a Milton, Georgia pond on Feb. 6; Lil Jon announced the burial on Feb. 18. The death is not believed to be suspicious.

via Rolling Stone|

#autopsy #drowning #lil-jon

health1 month ago•6 min saved

Psilocybin-based therapy shows rapid relief in treatment-resistant depression, eyeing FDA approval

Compass Pathways reported two positive late-stage trials of a synthetic psilocybin treatment that rapidly reduces symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression, potentially becoming the first psychedelic medicine to gain full regulatory approval if the FDA approves it early next year.

via The Economist|

#compass-pathways #depression #fda

biotech1 month ago•2 min saved

Compass’s psilocybin therapy advances toward FDA nod in severe depression

Compass Pathways reports positive Phase 3 results for its psilocybin-based treatment COMP360 in two trials for severe depression, suggesting potential FDA approval, though full data are needed to confirm the magnitude of benefit; if approved, it could become the first psilocybin product on the market, following Spravato (ketamine derivative).

via statnews.com|

#biotech #comp360 #compass-pathways

science2 months ago•89 min saved

Psychedelics May Rewire PTSD Brains, Opening Doors for Rapid Therapy

New research suggests psychedelics such as MDMA and psilocybin may help PTSD by promoting neuroplasticity and rebalancing fear circuits, enabling faster, therapy-assisted recovery. In MDMA-assisted therapy trials, about 67% of participants no longer met PTSD criteria compared with 32% on placebo; psilocybin trials are also showing promise in reducing symptoms and increasing cognitive flexibility. The proposed mechanisms involve dampened amygdala activity, enhanced prefrontal control, restoration of BDNF, and disruption of the default mode network, which may help patients reprocess trauma during psychotherapy. However, large, controlled trials are still needed, and regulatory hurdles persist due to Schedule I status and safety/blinding challenges.

via Live Science|

#mdma #neuroplasticity #psilocybin

neuroscience2 months ago•17 min saved

Psilocybin may trigger long-lasting antidepressant effects by altering neuron firing, not creating new connections

A rat study shows a single dose of psilocybin yields antidepressant-like behavior lasting at least 12 weeks, without lasting spine growth; instead, lasting functional changes in neuron firing (increased excitability and depolarized readiness) in the medial prefrontal cortex likely underlie the effect, with similar results from the 5-HT2A-targeting drug 25CN-NBOH, implicating this receptor; study notes limitations and cautions about translating to humans.

via PsyPost|

#5-ht2a-receptor #antidepressant #functional-plasticity

science3 months ago•2 min saved

Psilocybin Rewires Brain Circuits to Treat Depression

A study using engineered viruses in mice suggests that psilocybin may help break depressive cycles by rewiring brain connections, particularly reducing negative feedback loops associated with rumination, which could explain its positive effects in treating depression. The findings highlight potential for combining psychedelics with neuromodulation techniques for targeted mental health therapies.

via ScienceAlert|

#brain-rewiring #depression #mental-health

health3 months ago•5 min saved

Psychedelics May Help OCD, Cannabis Less Effective, Review Finds

A review indicates that psychedelics, especially psilocybin, show promise for treating OCD, while cannabis does not, due to differences in how they interact with the brain. Clinical trials with psilocybin have shown positive results, but research faces legal and methodological challenges.

via The Guardian|

#cannabis #health #mental-health

science6 months ago•7 min saved

Single Dose of Psilocybin Offers Rapid, Lasting Relief from Pain and Depression

A single dose of psilocybin in mice rapidly reversed chronic pain and depression-like symptoms within 24 hours, with effects lasting at least 12 days, by calming overactive neurons in the brain's anterior cingulate cortex and requiring partial activation of serotonin receptors, highlighting potential for new treatments in humans.

via Study Finds|

#brain-circuits #chronic-pain #depression

science6 months ago•2 min saved

Diverse Mushrooms Converge on Shared Psychedelic Effects

A new study reveals that different mushroom species independently evolved the ability to produce the same psychoactive compound, psilocybin, through distinct enzymatic pathways, highlighting a rare case of convergent evolution in fungi with implications for medical research.

via Ars Technica|

#convergent-evolution #medicinal-research #mushrooms

health6 months ago•4 min saved

Postpartum Risks of Psilocybin Use

A UC Davis study found that psilocybin worsens anxiety and depression symptoms in postpartum mice and can negatively affect their offspring, suggesting that psychedelics may pose risks during the postpartum period and are not universally beneficial for mental health treatment.

via UC Davis|

#animal-study #health #mental-health