MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Acute and Chronic Psilocybin in Mouse Models of Psychiatric Disorders

Summary

Researchers tested psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) in mice bred to show obsessive-compulsive behaviors. A single dose of psilocybin reduced compulsive grooming for about a week, but giving it repeatedly over time did not help with anxiety, depression, or compulsive behaviors. The findings suggest psilocybin might work best as a one-time treatment rather than repeated doses, which has implications for how these drugs might be used in future psychiatric treatment.

Background

Current treatments for depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder have significant limitations. Psilocybin from magic mushrooms shows promise for treating these psychiatric conditions, though questions remain about underlying biological mechanisms and potential long-term effects.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of acute and chronic psilocybin administration in transgenic mouse models relevant to depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive-like disorders, examining both immediate behavioral outcomes and therapeutic potential.

Results

Acute psilocybin reduced compulsive grooming behaviors in male KO mice for up to one week and in female KO and wild-type mice. Chronic psilocybin did not improve anxiety-like, depressive-like, compulsive-like behaviors, or social deficits. Evidence suggests involvement of serotonin transporter in mediating some effects.

Conclusion

Acute psilocybin shows promise for reducing compulsive behaviors, while chronic administration offers limited benefits. These findings are timely given increasing interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy and concerns about repeated low-dose ‘microdosing’ protocols.
  • Published in:International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Animal Study,
  • Source: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaf052.075
Scroll to Top