Bioactive Compound: psilocybin

Drug–drug interactions involving classic psychedelics: A systematic review

This review examined how psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin interact with other medications people might be taking. Researchers found that certain psychiatric medications like antipsychotics can block the effects of psychedelics, while other drugs may enhance them. The study highlights the importance of understanding these interactions for safe therapeutic use of psychedelics in clinical settings.

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Improved mental health outcomes and normalised spontaneous EEG activity in veterans reporting a history of traumatic brain injuries following participation in a psilocybin retreat

Researchers studied how psilocybin mushrooms given in a retreat setting could help military veterans with traumatic brain injuries who also experienced mental health problems like PTSD and depression. Veterans participated in guided psilocybin ceremonies and showed significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life, along with positive changes in their brain activity patterns measured by EEG. The study suggests that psilocybin retreats may be a promising therapeutic approach for this vulnerable population and supports the need for larger research studies.

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Associations Between Escitalopram and Psilocybin Therapy and Brain Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Major Depressive Disorder

This study compared how two depression treatments—a common antidepressant called escitalopram and psilocybin therapy—affect brain connectivity and depression symptoms. Both treatments reduced feelings of lacking pleasure and impulsive behaviors in depressed patients. The research found that while both worked, they affected different parts of the brain’s reward system in distinct ways, suggesting they may work through different mechanisms.

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New perspective on sustained antidepressant effect: focus on neurexins regulating synaptic plasticity

This review explores how hallucinogens like ketamine and psilocybin produce long-lasting antidepressant effects by changing how brain cells communicate. The key mechanism involves special molecules called neurexins that sit at the connections between neurons and control whether those connections strengthen or weaken. By understanding and potentially targeting neurexins, scientists hope to develop new depression treatments that work longer and more effectively than current medications.

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If psychedelics heal, how do they do it?

Psychedelic drugs like MDMA and magic mushrooms are showing remarkable promise in treating serious mental health conditions like PTSD and depression, with clinical trials demonstrating higher success rates than traditional therapy alone. However, scientists still don’t fully understand how these drugs work at the molecular and brain level, or whether the hallucinations they produce are necessary for healing. Researchers are investigating whether modified versions without hallucinations could provide the same benefits while being easier to administer, while also exploring how individual factors and treatment environment affect outcomes.

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Evolution and Comparative Analysis of Clinical Trials on Psilocybin in the Treatment of Psychopathologies: Trends in the EU and the US

Researchers are studying psilocybin, a compound from certain mushrooms, as a potential treatment for depression, anxiety, and addiction. The United States has significantly more clinical trials underway than the European Union, reflecting different regulatory approaches and funding levels. While US trials progress faster, EU trials emphasize safety and careful evaluation. Both regions show promising results when psilocybin is combined with professional psychological support in controlled settings.

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Psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe alcohol use disorder: protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 7-month parallel-group phase II superiority trial

This study tests whether psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) combined with therapy can help people with severe alcohol addiction reduce drinking. Participants receive either a high or low dose of psilocybin during a guided session as part of a hospital rehabilitation program. The researchers will measure changes in drinking behavior, mood, anxiety, and brain function to determine if this treatment works better than current options.

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Neuroprotective effects of psilocybin in a rat model of stroke

Scientists studied whether psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, could protect the brain from stroke damage in rats. They found that psilocybin reduced brain damage, improved movement and behavior recovery after stroke, and worked by increasing a protective brain chemical called BDNF. This research suggests psilocybin could become a new treatment for stroke patients, especially since stroke often leads to depression and anxiety, which psilocybin may also help treat.

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S-Adenosyl-l-Methionine Salvage Impacts Psilocybin Formation in “Magic” Mushrooms

This research explains how magic mushrooms produce psilocybin through a recycling system for important cellular molecules called SAM. Scientists studied two key enzymes that help regenerate SAM efficiently, allowing mushrooms to make large amounts of psilocybin. Their findings show that when these two enzymes work together, they significantly boost psilocybin production, which could help improve methods to produce this compound for potential depression treatment.

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Fungi: Pioneers of chemical creativity – Techniques and strategies to uncover fungal chemistry

This review explores how fungi produce remarkable chemical compounds that have been transformed into important medicines for over a century. Starting with penicillin in the 1940s, scientists have discovered dozens of fungal-derived drugs used to treat infections, prevent organ rejection, lower cholesterol, and fight cancer. Modern technology now allows researchers to discover and analyze these compounds much faster and with smaller samples than ever before.

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