A recent study indicates that the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, known as psilocybin, might significantly slow down cellular aging in human cells and extend the lifespan of elderly mice by around 30%. This research not only suggests a new potential use for psilocybin but also builds on its already established therapeutic applications for various health issues.
The Emory University team claims this is the first long-term investigation into the systemic effects of psilocybin on older mice—mice that are roughly equivalent to humans aged 60 to 65. These mice showed signs of aging like hair loss and decreased physical activity.
Initially, the mice received psilocin, which is the active form of psilocybin after it’s processed in the body. They started with a low dose and gradually increased to 15 milligrams once a month over ten months.
Interestingly, within just three months, those treated with psilocybin began to show improvements like reduced graying and hair loss, even reversing some of those symptoms. By the end of the trial, these mice had an average lifespan that was 30% longer than the control group.
To date, more than 150 clinical trials involving psilocybin have either been completed or are currently underway. These studies explore its potential in treating a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
A relevant 2020 study noted that a single dose of psilocybin could alleviate both physical and psychological symptoms, with benefits lasting for years after the treatment.
Mechanism of Action
This body of work highlights how psilocybin interacts with a specific serotonin receptor, 5-HT2A, along with several other subtypes. The 5-HT2A receptor is found in various organs and cell types—including skin, brain, and immune cells. Following its activation in the brain, one of the key pathways that regulate aging, known as SIRT1, becomes stimulated. This pathway plays a vital role in cellular senescence, where aging cells become non-dividing and eventually need to be eliminated.
The researchers demonstrated that psilocin can increase SIRT1 expression in cells, hinting at how psilocybin could delay cellular aging and promote longevity. Their findings provide initial experimental support that psilocybin may affect various aging markers, including slowed senescence and increased telomere stability.
Furthermore, the scientists assessed psilocin’s impact on human lung fibroblast cells in vitro, subjecting them to ongoing treatment with either psilocybin or a placebo until they reached the point of replicative senescence. A dose of 10 micrograms of psilocin extended cellular lifespan by 29%, while increasing this dose to 100 micrograms resulted in a remarkable 57% extension.
The treated fibroblasts also exhibited higher SIRT1 activity and maintained their telomere length. The authors characterized psilocybin as a potentially transformative pharmacological agent—an assertion that reflects the extensive therapeutic potential already shown in non-psychotic individuals, despite the hesitance of many pharmaceutical companies to pursue psilocybin due to regulatory challenges surrounding psychedelic mushrooms globally.
