The Power Of Psilocybin To Heal Our Minds And Our Bodies

 When one ingests Psilocybin, the gut converts it to its active metabolite, psilocin, which binds to serotonin 2A receptors. Researchers believe that this is what triggers “neuronal avalanching,” or essentially a domino effect of different changes in the brain’s many domains, from heightening activity in the visual cortex to decreasing activity in the default mode network, leading to what many describe as a ”loss of ego.” Further, Psilocybin increases connectivity among different regions of the brain, which ordinarily operate fairly independently, or in a compartmentalized fashion.

The psychedelic effects of Psilocybin are believed to emerge through the stimulation of serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT2ARs) via the active metabolite psilocin. In a study published by Neuropsychopharmacology, researchers evaluated the subjective intensity of psychedelic effects after a single oral intake o Psilocybin by subjecting volunteers to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans. Evidence pointed to the fact that Psilocybin intake leads to significant 5-HT2AR occupancy in the human brain, and that serotonin levels constitute key determinants in terms of the psychedelic experience.

The interesting thing about this is that, though Psilocybin has demonstrated some potential efficacy in the treatment of depression, it actually does the opposite of what Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (or SSRIs, which are common antidepressant medications) do in the brain. Rather than having an emotional blunting effect, Psilocybin appears to “increase emotional connection,” according to neuroscientist Leor Roseman of Imperial College London, rather than “reinforcing emotional avoidance and disconnection.” The implications of this are still being studied, but it is clear that serotonin levels play a pivotal role in Psilocybin’s effects on patients with mood disorders.

 Psilocybin has not been well-studied in relationship to its therapeutic effects on chronic pain; however, there is some medical interest as well as anecdotal evidence that indicates that Psilocybin may be a promising drug in terms of pain management. In an article with Practical Pain Management, William Jones (a pseudonym), a chronic pain sufferer, describes his morning routine with Psilocybin: “Every day, William Jones puts some psilocybin mushrooms into a coffee grinder…and transfers them to gel capsules. He swallows the capsules with a sip of water, and within 20 to 30 minutes, he feels relief from the pain that has followed him since he was diagnosed with autoimmune peripheral neuropathy in 2005.” Of course, this is anecdotal and establishing a therapeutic relationship between Psilocybin and chronic pain requires robust clinical research. Fortunately, it appears that some is on the horizon. At the University of California in San Francisco, a study will examine whether Psilocybin therapy is effective for people with chronic lower back pain, staring in 2022 .

 Research regarding Psilocybin’s impact on obesity, weight management, eating disorders, and appetite is still in its infancy. However, there appear to be some interesting clinical studies on the horizon. Eating disorder specialist and epidemiologist Dr. C. Laird Birmingham has, in partnership with psychedelics research startup NeonMind, has started designing a study (as of 2021) that examines whether Psilocybin could be effective for weight loss purposes. The study will take place at the University of British Columbia and will examine the ways in which Psilocybin’s neural mechanisms can help the brain “stop linking life stress and trauma to eating behavior.” 

According to researchers Barrett et al, published in NeuroImage, including Psilocybin modulate claustrum function in humans, with the claustrum being a subcortical nucleus that provides glutamatergic inputs to almost all areas of the cerebral cortex. In this study of 15 healthy participants, researchers found that Psilocybin’s activity in the claustrum impacts brain networks that support perception, memory, and attention. Researchers are still attempting to understand the exact mechanisms of psychedelics in the brain in relationship to memory, but these results are promising for patients with short-term or long-term memory impairments and perhaps attention deficit issues.

On the other hand, it appears that high dosages of Psilocybin are actually associated with memory impairment as opposed to enhancement, whereas low doses produce no impairment. According to Healy with Psychopharmacology, low doses of classical psychedelics can increase the vividness of autobiographical memory and stimulate enhanced recall, often causing users to remember memories that had previously forgotten

 A 2020 study published by Psychiatry Research conducted a meta-analysis of the experimental effects of Psilocybin on patients with anxiety and depression. The peer-reviewed publication evaluated four total studies, one of which was uncontrolled and three of which were randomized and placebo-controlled in a laboratory environment. Across the three controlled studies, researchers noted that anxiolytic effects were large and statistically significant. Further, no seriously adverse effects were reported among patients who microdosed. The researchers “tentatively” stated that they would recommend future research on Psilocybin for chronically anxious patients. 

 According to Meinhardt et al, published in Science Advances, Psilocybin targets a cognitive mechanism causing intellectual impairment and increased craving in individuals with alcoholism. In a 2021 study, these researchers demonstrated a causal link between pre-frontal mGluR2 function and impaired executive control, as well as alcohol craving. They found that restoring prefrontal mGluR2 levels in alcohol-dependent rats reduced these characteristics. These findings are promising for individuals struggling with alcoholism and may indicate the therapeutic capacity of Psilocybin in alcohol-dependent patients.

A human study published by the British Association for Psychopharmacology yielded similar results. 10 volunteers with alcohol dependence received oral Psilocybin in one or two supervised sessions. Results demonstrated that, while abstinence did not increase significantly in the first four weeks of therapeutic treatment, it increased significantly following Psilocybin administration. Further, there were no treatment-associated adverse effects in participants. Researchers recommended further study regarding Psilocybin’s capacity as a therapeutic for alcohol dependence.

 Recently, Psilocybin has demonstrated potential in the treatment of headache disorders, including chronic migraine. A small-scale study published by Neurotherapeutics in 2021 administered oral placebo and Psilocybin (0.143 mg/kg) to patients in two test sessions spaced two weeks apart, and had the subjects record headache diaries. Over the two-week period measured after single administration, the reduction in weekly migraine days from baseline was statistically greater after Psilocybin administration in comparison to the placebo group. Further, the researchers noted the Psilocybin was well-tolerated ta low doses; there were no unexpected or serious adverse effects of withdrawals. They recommended further research regarding Psilocybin’s therapeutic effects for migraine sufferers.

A noteworthy 2016 study published by The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse evaluated smoking cessation in Psilocybin-treated patients and followed up with them for 12 months. All 15 participants participated in the follow-up study, and 10 out of the Psilocybin-administered 15 remained smoking-abstinent. The researchers recommended further clinical study in terms of Psilocybin-facilitated treatment of substance use disorders.

And indeed, more studies appear to be on the way. According to Neuroscience News and Research, Johns Hopkins University plants to evaluate the scientific mechanisms behind Mydecine’s purified Psilocybin drug MYCO-001 in relationship to smoking cessation in 2022. The study will take the form of a phase 2/3 clinical trial and will be placebo-controlled.