Psilocybin increases longevity, improves survival in elderly mice: research

A new study suggests that psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, could prolong the lifespan.

Researchers from the Emory University Department in Atlanta, Georgia, have discovered that psilocybin extends cell lifespan and improves survival in elderly mice.

Psilocybin is the “natural psychedelic compound produced by hallucinogenic fungi”, as defined in the study.

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Psilocybin recently received attention due to “considerable clinical evidence” of its potential in the treatment of various psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, the researchers noted.

The study, published in the journal Nature, discovered the first experimental evidence that psilocin treatment – the “active metabolite” in psilocybin – increases longevity in elderly mice.

Researchers from the Emory University Department in Atlanta, Georgia, have discovered that psilocybin extends cell lifespan and improves survival in elderly mice. (istock)

This suggests that psilocybin could be a “powerful geroprotective agent”, wrote the researchers.

The co-author Louise Hecker of Emory University said that the data suggest that psilocybin has an impact on the “multiple characteristics of aging”.

This includes reducing oxidative stress levels and prevention of DNA damage, also known as the “length of telomeres”. (Telomeres are DNA-Protein structures at the ends of chromosomes, which helps prevent cellular damage.)

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“Psilocybin seems to slow down” wear “that accompanies aging,” said Hecker in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Mouses and cells are healthier and live much longer.”

Treatment has led to “a spectacular impact on cellular life extensions” and increased mice survival, even when administered later in life, noted the researcher.

One of the study co-authors said that the data suggest that psilocybin has an impact on the “multiple characteristics of aging”. (istock)

The mice also seemed to be healthy, pushing black hair which was once white.

“Most of what we know about psilocybin are clinical results and what it does in the brain,” said Hecker. “These studies highlight the fact that psilocybin has powerful effects all over the body.”

More necessary research

As these are the first studies showing the impact of psilocybin on aging, Hecker noted that there was still “much more to learn” about the potential of the drug.

“What are the optimal dosage protocols for humans? What is the optimal age for the initiation of treatment for optimal advantages?” Questioned Hecker.

“Psilocybin seems to slow down the” wear “that accompanies aging.”

“Is there an age, beyond what extent, when the treatment does not provide effectiveness? Is there potential damage or side effects associated with long-term treatment? What are the mechanisms of its action? All these questions must be rigorously tested.”

Additional studies are necessary to answer these questions and confirm whether the treatment has an impact on the lifespan, noted Hecker.

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Gabe Charambides, founder of Odyssey – The first legal pension of Legal Psilocybin in America, located in Oregon – said that he considered these “convincing” results.

“While most of the human psilocybin trials have focused on mental health results – depression, anxiety, SSPT – this work highlights physiological changes, including the markers of cellular aging,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

The treatment should be administered intentionally and differently for humans, said a psilocybin expert. (istock)

Although charambid retirement has no biological change, he said many guests report relief from physical diseases such as chronic pain and migraines.

“These self-evaluations suggest that the effects of the spirit-corps indicate that the study can also result in humans,” he told Fox News Digital.

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The administration of psilocybin must differ “strongly” from the mouse to humans in terms of screening, preparation and guarantees, noted charambids.

“These studies have highlighted the fact that psilocybin has powerful effects on the whole body,” noted a researcher. (istock)

People who benefit the most from psilocybin therapy include those who “feel stuck” after important life events – such as infantile trauma, divorce, career upheavals or mourning – or people who aim to improve their mental health, he added.

Potential risks

Ryan Moss, Director of Sciences of Filament Health, a society to develop natural psychedelic drugs at the clinical stage in Canada, stressed the importance of administering psychedelics in a safe setting.

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“Psychedelic experiences can sometimes offer anxiety, hallucinations and paranoia,” said Moss to Fox News Digital. “Some patients using traditional psychedelics have reported unwanted cardiovascular events during clinical trials.”

To alleviate these risks, Moss recommended that the participants in the clinical trial receive in -depth preparation and monitoring by professionals trained during the sessions.