psilocybin – Page 4

Behavioral Phenotyping and Metabolomic Comparison of Chemically Synthesized Psilocybin and Psychedelic Mushroom Extract in a Zebrafish Depression Model

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Researchers compared chemically made psilocybin with whole mushroom extract in zebrafish to test for depression-like effects. Both treatments reversed depressive behaviors and produced similar changes in brain chemicals, though the mushroom extract showed more neurotransmitter precursors. This study demonstrates that zebrafish can be useful models for studying how psychedelics might help treat depression.

Rediscovering Psilocybin as an Antidepressive Treatment Strategy

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Scientists have renewed their investigation into psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, as a potential treatment for depression. Studies show promising results with patients experiencing significant improvements in depressive symptoms, sometimes sustained for months after a single treatment session. When administered in controlled therapeutic environments with professional support, psilocybin appears relatively safe, though it can cause temporary side effects like headaches and anxiety. This research represents an important shift in how we might treat severe depression, especially in patients who haven’t responded to conventional antidepressants.

Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non-microdosing controls

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This study followed nearly 1000 people who microdose psilocybin (small regular doses of psilocybin mushrooms) and compared them to 180 people who don’t microdose over one month. Microdosers showed greater improvements in mood, depression, anxiety, and stress compared to the control group. Interestingly, when older adults combined psilocybin with lion’s mane mushrooms and niacin, they showed better improvements in motor control and speed. The effects were fairly consistent across different ages and genders, suggesting psilocybin microdosing may have real benefits for mental health.

Psychological flexibility as a mechanism of change in psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depression: results from an exploratory placebo-controlled trial

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This study examined how psilocybin mushroom therapy works for treating depression when combined with talk therapy. Participants received a placebo pill followed by psilocybin four weeks later, both times as part of psychological treatment. The research found that people who received psilocybin showed greater improvements in their ability to accept difficult thoughts and emotions and live according to their values, and these improvements were linked to feeling less depressed.

Mushrooms, Microdosing, and Mental Illness: The Effect of Psilocybin on Neurotransmitters, Neuroinflammation, and Neuroplasticity

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This review examines how psilocybin, the active compound in certain mushrooms, may help treat depression and anxiety by reducing brain inflammation and promoting healthy neurotransmitter function. Both full doses under medical supervision and smaller ‘microdoses’ show promise for mental health conditions. The research suggests psilocybin works by calming the immune system’s inflammatory response while simultaneously supporting the brain’s natural healing and adaptation processes, offering a potential alternative treatment when standard medications don’t work.

Molecular Mechanisms of Emerging Antidepressant Strategies: From Ketamine to Neuromodulation

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Depression is a serious mental health condition affecting over 300 million people worldwide, with many patients not responding well to standard antidepressants. This review examines both traditional antidepressants like SSRIs and exciting new treatments including ketamine and psilocybin, as well as brain stimulation techniques. The key finding is that different treatments work through similar mechanisms—all ultimately enhancing brain cell connections and reducing inflammation—suggesting that combining different approaches might work better than single therapies.

Effect of psilocybin on marble burying in ICR mice: role of 5-HT1A receptors and implications for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

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Researchers tested whether psilocybin mushrooms could help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using mice. They found that psilocybin reduced compulsive burying behavior in mice, similar to how approved OCD medications work. The study revealed that this anti-compulsive effect works through different brain mechanisms than previously thought, and that combining psilocybin with another drug called buspirone might block psychedelic effects while keeping therapeutic benefits.

Group psychedelic therapy: empirical estimates of cost-savings and improved access

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This study examines whether treating multiple patients together in psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions could reduce costs and help more people access these promising psychiatric treatments. Researchers compared group versus individual therapy using MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for depression, finding that group therapy saved about 35-51% on clinician costs. If adopted widely, group therapy could reduce the number of clinicians needed and potentially save billions of dollars while helping thousands more patients receive treatment.

Development of the Japanese version of the Challenging Experience Questionnaire

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Researchers have translated an important measurement tool called the Challenging Experience Questionnaire into Japanese. This tool helps doctors and researchers measure difficult feelings like fear and anxiety that people sometimes experience when taking psilocybin mushrooms as part of therapy. Having this questionnaire available in Japanese is important because it allows Japanese patients and researchers to participate in psychedelic research and understand these experiences better.

Acute and Chronic Psilocybin in Mouse Models of Psychiatric Disorders

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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.

Research Keyword: psilocybin