Human brain changes after first psilocybin use
bioRxiv – October 11, 2024
Source: medRxiv/bioRxiv/arXiv
Summary
A single high dose of psilocybin can lead to lasting positive changes in brain function and well-being. In a study with 28 participants, significant improvements in cognitive flexibility and psychological insight were observed one month after use. Brain imaging revealed structural changes linked to enhanced emotional health, showcasing psilocybin's potential benefits.
Abstract
Psychedelics have robust effects on acute brain function and long-term behavior but whether they also cause enduring functional and anatomical brain changes is unknown. In a placebo-controlled, within-subjects, electroencephalography, and magnetic resonance imaging study in 28 healthy, entirely psychedelic-naive participants, anatomical and functional brain changes were detected from one-hour to one-month after a single high-dose (25 mg) of psilocybin. Increases in cognitive flexibility, psychological insight, and well-being were seen at one-month. Diffusion imaging done before and one-month after 25mg psilocybin revealed decreased axial diffusivity bilaterally in prefrontal-subcortical tracts that correlated with decreased brain network modularity over the same time period. Decreased modularity also correlated with improved well-being. Increased cortical signal entropy at 1– and 2-hours post-dosing predicted improved psychological well-being at one-month. Next-day psychological insight mediated the entropy to well-being relationship. All effects were exclusive to 25mg psilocybin; no effects occurred with a 1mg psilocybin ‘placebo’ dose.