Psilocybin put rat brains ‘back together’ after mild head trauma
In a preprint of the paper, the authors explain how psilocybin was able to restore brain function in adult rodents after a series of mild, repetitive head injuries, designed to mimic the sort of damage that typically affects athletes, military personnel, the elderly, and victims of domestic violence.
While the same benefits of psilocybin may not occur in human brains, the results among rodents align with growing clinical research that suggests psilocybin can reduce brain inflammation and change how our brains are wired. Not only does the drug seem to improve brain connections, it may alter the very way our central nervous system processes and shares information. Initial research on humans suggests psilocybin’s effects on the brain may help those with depression when combined with therapy, as well as those with anorexia, substance abuse, and various other mental health disorders. In some studies on animals, the drug can even ‘regrow’ lost neural connections. Scientists are now exploring whether similar benefits can treat a concussion crisis in brain health.
Original Article (Science):
Psilocybin put rat brains ‘back together’ after mild head trauma
Artwork Fair Use: John Hain
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