A groundbreaking study from from the Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research at the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim has revealed that a single dose of psilocin (the psychoactive metabolite of psilocybin) boosts brain cell growth and connectivity.
Dried psilocybin mushrooms.
The findings offer valuable insights into the neurobiological mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of psilocybin, particularly in treating mental health disorders.
The study, published in eLife, examined how psilocin affects nerve cells cultivated from stem cells. Researchers found that even a single dose of psilocin triggered significant changes, with neurons developing more branches and producing increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key protein involved in neural growth and plasticity.
“What we observed is fascinating,” said 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.” Even more notably, these structural changes persisted for several days, leading to enhanced communication between neurons.
The researchers also identified gene activity changes associated with neuroplasticity, a function that is often impaired in mental health conditions like depression and PTSD. “Put simply, psilocin makes the brain more malleable again,” explained 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.”
The study used induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, allowing researchers to grow functional human nerve cells. “With this modern cell system, we can investigate the effect of substances directly on human nerve cells,” Koch added, emphasizing that this method provides a more accurate model than traditional animal studies.
As clinical trials continue exploring psilocybin-based treatments, this research provides a deeper understanding of its effects on the brain and could help refine therapeutic approaches to maximize its benefits.
