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The findings complement clinical studies on the treatment of mental disorders and could contribute to a better understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms behind the therapeutic effect of psilocybin.
Psilocybin is the well-known active ingredient in so-called magic mushrooms, which is converted in the body to psilocin – the compound that ultimately unleashes the psychoactive effect. The Mannheim research team worked directly with psilocin to investigate the neurobiological effects. In their current study, which has been published in the journal eLife, the researchers investigated its effect on human nerve cells that they had cultivated from stem cells. The result: even a single dose of psilocin was sufficient to induce various changes in human nerve cells within a short period of time. More connections, more communication, altered gene activity
“What we observed is fascinating,” explains Dr. Malin Schmidt, first author of the study. “The nerve cells formed more branches and produced more BDNF, an endogenous growth factor for nerve cells.” What is even more astonishing is that synaptic changes persisted even after several days and communication between the nerve cells increased significantly. Want more breaking news?
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The researchers were also able to prove that psilocin changes the activity of certain genes that are important for the brain’s ability to adapt. This so-called neuroplasticity is reduced in many mental illnesses. “Put simply, psilocin makes the brain more malleable again,” explains study leader Prof. Dr. Philipp Koch . “Our results provide explanations at the cellular level for the positive effects observed in clinical studies with psilocybin in patients with depression, addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder.” Better understanding of neurobiological mechanisms of action for new therapeutic approaches
The work complements the clinical studies already underway at the ZI and other research institutions worldwide, in which psilocybin is being investigated as a treatment option for various mental illnesses. “While clinical studies are investigating the efficacy in patients, our current work provides important insights into the underlying biological processes,” emphasizes Koch.
The Mannheim researchers used the innovative iPSC technology (induced pluripotent stem cells) […]
New Insights Into How Psilocybin Promotes Neural Cell Growth
