How Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Its Therapeutic Benefits & Its Risks

In this episode, I discuss what psilocybin is (chemically) and how it works at the cellular and neural circuit level to trigger neuroplasticity, which is our brain’s ability to rewire itself in ways that lead to long-lasting shifts in our emotional, cognitive and behavioral patterns and abilities. I discuss the emerging clinical trial evidence for the use of psilocybin in the treatment of depression, addictions and other psychiatric challenges. I explain the typical duration and phases of a psilocybin journey, the different categories of dosages often used and I explain the importance of set, setting and support when using psychedelics. I explain which groups of people place themselves at great risk by taking psilocybin as well as groups that could benefit, and I highlight the rapidly changing legal and medical landscape around psilocybin. This episode is a thorough exploration of psilocybin from the scientific and clinical literature perspective and ought to be of interest to anyone curious about psilocybin, mental health, neuroplasticity and/or psychedelics more generally.

Articles

• The neural basis of psychedelic action (Nature Neuroscience)
• The effects of psilocybin and MDMA on between-network resting state functional connectivity in healthy volunteers (Frontiers in Human Neuroscience)
• Increased low-frequency brain responses to music after psilocybin therapy for depression (Journal of Affective Disorders)
• Quality of Acute Psychedelic Experience Predicts Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression (Frontiers in Pharmacology)
• Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal (Cell Reports Medicine)
• Therapeutic use of psilocybin: Practical considerations for dosing and administration (Frontiers in Psychiatry)
• Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo (Neuron)
• Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics (Frontiers in Psychiatry)
• Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression (The New England Journal of Medicine)
• Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder (JAMA Psychiatry)
• The costs and benefits of psychedelics on cognition and mood (Neuron)

Other Resources

• The Physiological Sigh
• Dr. Matthew Johnson: Psychedelic Medicine