What Is Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) & What Are Its Effects? | Dr. Andrew Huberman

Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses the chemical and structural similarities between psilocybin and serotonin, their effects on the brain, the specific role of the serotonin 2A receptor in psilocybin's actions, and its potential therapeutic benefits in treating mood disorders and inducing neuroplasticity.

Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Lab podcast.

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The Huberman Lab podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

[tammyb]

I started microdosing 2 months ago and with the first dose I felt much better that I don't feel like I need therapy anymore. It was like the dark cloud that had been hanging over my head my entire life just evaporated. That doesn't mean I don't have bad days or that life is perfect now but it's so much better.

[makaveli]

I stoped drinking, and eating crap food. I started sleeping better and being happy inside. All by eating magic mushrooms. No wonder they don't want us taking these. It would end soo many jobs and pharmaceuticals. 🎉

[foodaddict]

Magic mushrooms literally saved my life
No more additions
No more depression
No more anxiety
& No more sertraline 🙏🍄❤️

[Eysc]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

00:02 🍄 *Psilocybin's Chemical Similarity to Serotonin*
- Psilocybin, a tryptamine like serotonin, closely resembles serotonin in structure.
- Serotonin, a neuromodulator, influences various neural activities, including mood, pleasure, and motivation.
- The similarity between psilocybin and serotonin raises questions about why psilocybin induces specific experiences despite their structural likeness.
01:29 🧠 *Serotonin's Functions & Receptors*
- Serotonin's diverse functions involve mood regulation, pleasure, motivation, and more.
- Its impact on numerous serotonin receptors leads to a wide array of effects in the brain and body.
- Understanding serotonin's role highlights the complexity of its influence on daily life and mental health.
04:24 🧩 *Psilocybin's Interaction with Serotonin 2A Receptor*
- Psilocybin's specificity in binding to the serotonin 2A receptor drives its distinct effects.
- Activation of serotonin 2A receptors triggers changes in neural circuitry, leading to mood improvements and relief from certain disorders.
- The selectivity of psilocybin in targeting this receptor explains the excitement surrounding its therapeutic potential.
07:17 🔄 *Comparing Psilocybin and SSRIs*
- Psilocybin's efficacy in treating depression surpasses that of SSRIs in some cases, sparking attention.
- Contrasting outcomes between psilocybin and SSRIs underscore the importance of receptor specificity in their effects.
- Understanding the selectivity of psilocybin for the serotonin 2A receptor elucidates its therapeutic potential compared to SSRIs.

[Neto]

Mushrooms played a pivotal role in my journey to conquer addiction, and l've never experienced a greater sense of self-control.

[mr_green]

i absolutely love when we discuss pharmocology. Escpecially the pharmocology of naturally occuring substances.

[jaynsilentboom]

Ive been out of my supply since early Feb. worst feeling in the world. It’s a hard crash like getting off of SSRIs. For someone like me who has many mental health challenges like major depression, anxiety, CPTSD. This is equivalent of getting off your meds.

I feel so connected, alive, full of motivation, able to control impulse and hyperactivity. Moderate my diet, stick to my routines. Require less sleep and get so much more done, when I am micro-dosing.

It’s a shame I have to wait for it to be legal. Alas. I’ll be regrowing my own supply again. There is nothing I’ve ever had (especially from the VA) that can compare to the terrific effects of microdosing.

I’ve also macro dosed and got through some hefty trauma stuff. I can’t do therapy without it. The memories way too deep, and the trauma triggers send me into a spiral without them. So, north spore all in one bag, and inoculate the world for the win.

[johnnyjoedillinger]

You had me at "lets talk about psilocybin". I'll take 4.

[patrioticcanuck]

45 yr old male
Developed daily Vagal Afib/
Daily MM 1g dosing has stopped afib completely
I can’t find a single piece of information related to this

[johnbartender]

I was on citalopram for a short while (persistent depressive disorder). Magic mushrooms fixed me up and saved my life. Not perfect but much much better compared to antidepressant. I take them every 3-6 months.

[ingridsara]

Research has shown psilocybin to have great potent to treat a range of anxiety and behavioral disorder. -

[nickkurr]

shrooms made me feel really grateful for my sober state and that I dont really wanna go to far from it and id like to stick to the hippy drugs

[JesusRaves]

great talk Andrew, what are the dosages that you speak of ? is this a once off dose or is it a micro dose on a routine basis?

[PeterDeMarco-fkph]

Im micro dosing right now and its the ONLY medicine that has ever ever helped CPTSD 🍄💯🍄 Thank you! Calcium deficiency is the cause of all depression and parathyroid/thyroid in the throat right.

[SonnyMoonie]

What is it that psilocybin does? Not how does it work, or what does it do to the brain. What effect does it have, that the person taking it experiences? You're just saying in this video that it may relieve depression, and may relieve obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms. Why then do you call it a "journey" to take it? How can there be something called a "journey" if there are no detectable experienced effects worth mentioning? If it "improves mood" how can a person tell that their mood is improved by it? What's the experienced effect?

[Azusadesuu]

Where i can buy magic mushrooms or psilocybin, im from Philippines btw I realy want to try this for my mental health

[Stormy_Coyote]

I want to try Psilocybin, but I'm kind of afraid to. I've been struggling with alcoholism and depression for over a decade now, I'm so tired of feeling like crap all the time. I used to take anti-depressants, but they were 50/50, somedays I felt alright, others I felt worse than before. I also suffer from panic attacks.

[ywmwhvo]

Awesome episode. What's his background? The way he says ligand is funny to me as a chemist.

[alfaalfa]

I have been suffering pure TOC and depresion for last five months. Can psilocybin cure my condition?

[jameswilliamson]

Can we go on a field trip
First class🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄