Can Psilocybin Rewire Your Brain?

Psyched: Psychedelics have gained a lot of ground as a treatment, not just as a trip. Psilocybin, the “magic” compound in mushrooms, has been studied as a therapy for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance-use disorders. Recent research published in Nature Communications sheds new light on how — and how quickly — psilocybin changes the brain.

The Study: Researchers gave 28 adults who’d never tried psychedelics before a “placebo” dose (1 mg) of psilocybin, then measured their brain activity with an EEG. Participants then underwent a series of tests and scans for the following month to measure their wellbeing, thinking ability, and psychological insight. After the testing was completed, the researchers repeated the experiment with the participants, this time giving them 25 mg doses of psilocybin. 

The Takeaway: The research team found a single dose of psilocybin created anatomical changes in the brain, which persisted even a month later. Within an hour of taking the psychedelic, participants experienced a surge in their brain entropy, the brain’s neural activity and information-processing. Those who had bigger entropic spikes also reported greater wellbeing and deeper psychological insight. 

Keep in Mind: The study was small. More research is needed to determine therapeutic next steps from these findings.