This is a correction notice for a research study about psilocybin therapy used to treat depression in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The original article had several incorrect author affiliations that have now been corrected to properly list their departments at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
This review examines how the body processes psilocybin, a compound from magic mushrooms being studied for treating depression and anxiety. When taken orally, psilocybin is quickly converted to its active form, psilocin, which reaches peak levels in the bloodstream within 1-4 hours and is eliminated mainly through urine. The body’s ability to process psilocybin involves specific liver enzymes that vary between individuals, potentially explaining why people respond differently to the same dose and why certain medications can interfere with its effects.
This study uses computer simulations to understand how psilocin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) and serotonin interact with a brain receptor called 5HT 2A R. The research shows that both molecules prefer to bind to a deeper part of the receptor rather than a shallower area, and that a protein called Gqα is essential for keeping the receptor in its active state. These findings could help scientists develop better medicines for depression and anxiety.
A research study examined how psilocybin experiences affect long-term mental health and well-being in healthy volunteers. Participants received two doses of psilocybin in controlled medical settings while undergoing brain imaging. The study found that psilocybin consistently produced positive, lasting improvements in mood, well-being, and spiritual outlook, regardless of whether people had used psychedelics before, their sex, or the specific imaging setting used.
During teenage years, the brain undergoes important structural changes that set the stage for adult decision-making abilities. This study found that a cell adhesion protein called β1-integrin plays a critical role during adolescence in stabilizing connections between brain cells in the prefrontal cortex. When this protein was missing during the teenage years, adult mice struggled to make good decisions about rewards and could not adjust their behavior when circumstances changed. The research suggests that proper brain development during adolescence requires these cellular adhesion molecules to build the neural circuits needed for intelligent decision-making later in life.
Researchers found that a medicinal mushroom called Sanghuangporous vaninii grown on mulberry sawdust in China contains exceptionally high levels of polyphenols—powerful antioxidant compounds. They isolated and purified a particularly potent polyphenol mixture called HNMS3, which contains 33 different compounds. Through advanced molecular analysis, they discovered that HNMS3 works by activating eight key proteins in the body to fight oxidative stress, making it potentially beneficial for brain health and preventing nerve degeneration.