All articles tagged with #psilocybin
Nathan Smith, Lil Jon’s 27-year-old son (DJ Young Slade), died in early February from an accidental drowning with psilocybin in his system, per the Fulton County Medical Examiner. He went missing on Feb. 3 and was found in a Milton, Georgia pond on Feb. 6; Lil Jon announced the burial on Feb. 18. The death is not believed to be suspicious.
Compass Pathways reported two positive late-stage trials of a synthetic psilocybin treatment that rapidly reduces symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression, potentially becoming the first psychedelic medicine to gain full regulatory approval if the FDA approves it early next year.
Compass Pathways reports positive Phase 3 results for its psilocybin-based treatment COMP360 in two trials for severe depression, suggesting potential FDA approval, though full data are needed to confirm the magnitude of benefit; if approved, it could become the first psilocybin product on the market, following Spravato (ketamine derivative).
New research suggests psychedelics such as MDMA and psilocybin may help PTSD by promoting neuroplasticity and rebalancing fear circuits, enabling faster, therapy-assisted recovery. In MDMA-assisted therapy trials, about 67% of participants no longer met PTSD criteria compared with 32% on placebo; psilocybin trials are also showing promise in reducing symptoms and increasing cognitive flexibility. The proposed mechanisms involve dampened amygdala activity, enhanced prefrontal control, restoration of BDNF, and disruption of the default mode network, which may help patients reprocess trauma during psychotherapy. However, large, controlled trials are still needed, and regulatory hurdles persist due to Schedule I status and safety/blinding challenges.
A rat study shows a single dose of psilocybin yields antidepressant-like behavior lasting at least 12 weeks, without lasting spine growth; instead, lasting functional changes in neuron firing (increased excitability and depolarized readiness) in the medial prefrontal cortex likely underlie the effect, with similar results from the 5-HT2A-targeting drug 25CN-NBOH, implicating this receptor; study notes limitations and cautions about translating to humans.
A study using engineered viruses in mice suggests that psilocybin may help break depressive cycles by rewiring brain connections, particularly reducing negative feedback loops associated with rumination, which could explain its positive effects in treating depression. The findings highlight potential for combining psychedelics with neuromodulation techniques for targeted mental health therapies.
A review indicates that psychedelics, especially psilocybin, show promise for treating OCD, while cannabis does not, due to differences in how they interact with the brain. Clinical trials with psilocybin have shown positive results, but research faces legal and methodological challenges.
A single dose of psilocybin in mice rapidly reversed chronic pain and depression-like symptoms within 24 hours, with effects lasting at least 12 days, by calming overactive neurons in the brain's anterior cingulate cortex and requiring partial activation of serotonin receptors, highlighting potential for new treatments in humans.
A new study reveals that different mushroom species independently evolved the ability to produce the same psychoactive compound, psilocybin, through distinct enzymatic pathways, highlighting a rare case of convergent evolution in fungi with implications for medical research.
A UC Davis study found that psilocybin worsens anxiety and depression symptoms in postpartum mice and can negatively affect their offspring, suggesting that psychedelics may pose risks during the postpartum period and are not universally beneficial for mental health treatment.
New research from UC Davis indicates that psilocybin worsens postpartum depression symptoms in mice and can cause long-term anxiety and depression-like behaviors in their offspring, highlighting potential risks of psychedelic use during the postpartum period due to hormonal and developmental factors.
Researchers have discovered that two unrelated groups of mushrooms independently evolved the ability to produce the psychedelic compound psilocybin through different biochemical pathways, highlighting convergent evolution. The purpose of psilocybin in fungi remains unknown, but it may serve as a defense mechanism. This discovery expands biotechnological tools for producing psilocybin, which is being studied as a potential antidepressant, and prompts further investigation into its evolutionary role.
A five-year follow-up study shows that most individuals treated with psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder remain in remission, suggesting lasting benefits and potential as a durable treatment option, though further research is needed.
Robin Wright discusses her experiences with psilocybin, her family life including her relationship with Sean Penn and her children, her career shifts from acting to directing, and her recent move to the UK where she is enjoying a relaxed life with her new partner, Henry Smith, while working on the series The Girlfriend.
A clinical trial found that a single dose of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy provided lasting relief from depression and anxiety in cancer patients, with significant improvements observed up to two years post-treatment, suggesting potential as a paradigm-changing mental health therapy.