Psilocybin treatment extends cellular lifespan and improves survival of aged mice
Coarfa, C., Hecker, L., Kato, K., Kleinhenz, J. M., Shin, Y.-J., Zarrabi, A. J.
This mouse study (n=58) provides the first experimental evidence that psilocin extends cellular lifespan and that psilocybin promotes increased longevity in aged mice. The findings suggest psilocybin may have geroprotective potential, though the molecular mechanisms remain unclear.
Abstract
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by hallucinogenic mushrooms, has received attention due to considerable clinical evidence for its therapeutic potential to treat various psychiatric and neurodegenerative indications. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain enigmatic, and few studies have explored its systemic impacts. We provide the first experimental evidence that psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) treatment extends cellular lifespan and psilocybin treatment promotes increased longevity in aged mice, suggesting that psilocybin may be a potent geroprotective agent.