Psilocybin Induces Long Lasting Modifications to Brain Connections

A recent study investigated the effects of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, in mice and demonstrated its long lasting effects on the growth and structure of dendritic spines. The authors suggest these changes may underlie the putative rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of psychedelic drugs. In this video, I will give a brief overview of these very interesting results!

I'd be happy to hear your thoughts about this study and continue the discussion down below in the comments section.

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Also check out my video on Psilocybin and 5HT2A receptors:

Original study
Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo
Ling-Xiao Shao, Clara Liao, Ian Gregg, Pasha A Davoudian, Neil K Savalia, Kristina Delagarza, Alex C Kwan

[jorgparker]

I tried micro-dosing yesterday for the first time, and I had wonderful experience. I'm someone who suffers from chronic depression, and I was simply happy, not overly ecstatic, but genuinely happy and active with my friends and family. I was even excited to get out of bed this morning.

[donaldaustin]

One of the uses of psychedelics is administering psilocybin to cancer patients, it allowed them to confron their mortality, remove fear and anxiety and to die with peace and equanimity. What a gift this is.

[Clarke]

I have been finding microdosing psilocybin very useful for fatigue and ADHD. The fatigue which is psychosomatic seems to be eradicated by psilocybin. It's literally incredible. For the first time in years I can work physically all day and still have enough energy to do sport after. I can also focus on tasks, work systematically, and be very focused. I also stack with Lions Main, Reishi and Siberian ginseng.

[harrybill]

I have been depressed for a long time, but after taking shrooms few months ago, l feel much happier and highly motivated and my ADHD gone, lost a ton of anxiousness and had a few epiphanies about how I should live my life. I decided to buy an ounce for backup, but haven’t yet felt the need to take any more since then.

[shokotatsuno-p]

Research has shown psilocybin to have potential to treat a range of psychiatric and behavioral disorders.

[rebeccamd]

I have never used psilocybin for depression, but I have used LSD for spine pain management when my pain is so severe, nothing touches it. It works! Another friend who has similar spine pain from a deformation in the spine tried it and it worked for her as well. We definitely need to explore unconventional treatments like these more and change our thinking about pharmacological treatment options.

[crixusthenorman]

Mushrooms helped me get of opiates. Truly magical. They helped me connect with the past, present, and future. I was able to build new and rebuild old bridges. These connections allowed me to remap my mind and life. It gave me the inspiration to break through a massive barrier that was controlling my life. 1.5 years later now, my life has changed in wonderful ways.

[teoderik]

Me and a friend had our Psilocybe Cubensis up for the first time in 1978. What I noticed early on was how the mushroom built its threads and created a network in the jar, which was completely snow white. It glistened from the small drops of moisture that the medium created. It was a powerful experience and the network really resembled what is in the brain. I was struck by the beauty of the image and you could clearly feel a great intelligence present within this network. A biological internet of the highest kind. We knew it early on, and now the facts are finally on the table! It has been with me for over thirty years, opening unimagined doors to paying attention to the great world, beyond the horizon of the five senses. Thanks for passing on this important knowledge!

[Username]

I stopped taking anxiety medication, had 2 mushroom trips 1 week apart, and I have to say I feel so much better. Happier, more confident, more engaged, I am certain that the mushrooms helped. I also believe that they may have played a role in human brain evolution.

[riannegeven]

I was more than a year in the pain clinic for back pain. extremely painful attacks in my back. Had many injections in my back, several treatments nothing helped. Most of time a was in extreme pain and couldn't do anything. After one session psilocybin my pain was gone. In that session a owl took me to walk through my spine and I saw that it was clean en healthy and strong. Somehow my brain had made this information to reality.

[insidejob]

Its changed my life. Its given me feelings i havent had in years back
Its also made my brain quiet

[Austrasie.]

I was searching for a non vulgarizing video about psilocybin effects on the brain, finally found it! Thank you mate, it was very interesting.

[ShooterMcgavin]

I have server ptsd spent 3 years in and out of a hospital for self check out reasons. I friend gave me an oz and said eat this. I didn’t know anything so I ate it all. Hard night but I have never wanted to self check out since then and it’s been 13 years. I owe a lot to mushrooms and teaching me about how beautiful the world could be again.

[MrDiveDave]

I suffer from Bipolar 2, and Borderline Personality disorder. I spent many years in counselling, and still see my psychiatrist on a regular basis. I take my meds regularly for many years now and have found the combination that works best for me. I have done both CBT and DBT therapy a number of times. A couple of years ago I started experimenting with micro dosing and have gone through a number of off/on cycles now. I tried short lengths of time taking it, I tried longer times and different breaks in between etc. I can say beyond a reasonable doubt that it makes a very noticeable difference for me. My depression and anxiety are pretty much non existent and I am far more motivated and interested in things. I cant praise them enough for the changes they have helped me make in every aspect of my life.

[smokejaguar]

During a singular occasion, I decided to embark on a profound journey by consuming what is commonly known as a heroic dose of mushrooms. Little did I know that this extraordinary experience would transport me to a realm of surreal enchantment. As the effects of the mushrooms began to take hold, I found myself standing atop a verdant hill, surrounded by an ethereal landscape that seemed to pulsate with vibrant life.

It was there, in that magical place, that I encountered a majestic being—a gryphon of immense stature and elegance, known by the name of "The Hornigan." The Hornigan's regal presence was accentuated by an intricate golden helm that adorned its noble head. With wings outstretched and a commanding gaze, it exuded an aura of wisdom and transcendence.

Engulfed in a mix of awe and wonder, I engaged in a captivating conversation with The Hornigan. Its words resonated deep within me as it expounded upon the wonders and majesty of conscious existence. The Hornigan spoke of the interconnectedness of all living beings, the intricate tapestry of the universe, and the boundless potential that lies within each of us. That is the reasons governments the world over try to criminalise its use because it is very useful and directly contradicts that which the governments the world over would have us believe.

[admin]

Anybody who has undergone intend psilocybin therapy will understand that trying to get life changing therapeutic benefits of psychedelics without the trip is laughable.that’s what rattles you out of depression.

[Cooly_Fooly]

When I was 14 years old I was diagnosed with traumatic scoliosis resulting from a car accident. For years my orthopedist would tell me it's irreversible and surgery was my only option. The pain and nausea were so unbearable I was willing to try anything but refused surgery time and time again. And by pure happenstance, I took about 5 grams of mushrooms ONE time with some friends and I was CURED the next morning. Went to get xrays done a week later and the look of perplexity on my doctor's face when he saw the results, I'll never forget it. And needless to say I've been taking them ever since. Now mushrooms aren't for everybody, but I encourage anyone to try it at least once in their life. Especially those suffering with chronic back pain. But I'm also not a doctor so do your own due diligence.

[KingKunta.]

this is amazing the promotion of these connections is literally the science of consciousness

[michaelelliott]

I micro dosed for a different reason than my spinal issues I had. I kept noticing my micro dosing regimens was helping my back pain. I did a longer than normal micro session for around a month, normally did 2 weeks stents. My back feel so good right now. I broke my L5 and T12 and has disc damage afterwards on 3 different occasions. I feel really good and it somewhat surprising. I really think my micro dosing did something to help repair my muscle tissue in my attached muscles and it helped with nerve pain a lot.

[ZeginMakesMusic]

Isn't it crazy how consuming the fruiting body of a mushroom can actually grow mycelium like network structures within the brain. Fascinating