Grace O'Regan

2 papers in the library · 5 citations · publishing 2025-2026

Papers

Can the gut-brain axis provide insight into psilocybin's therapeutic value in reducing stress?

Neurobiology of Stress May 1, 2025 Alanna Kit, Kate Conway, Savannah Makarowski et al. 5 citations

Psilocybin shows therapeutic potential for stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, addiction, and eating disorders, but its mechanisms are complex, involving multiple body systems. This review explores how psilocybin interacts with the gut microbiota, enteric nervous system, and hypothalamic-pituitary axis, influencing bidirectional communication between peripheral and neuronal systems. Understanding these gut-brain interactions could advance psilocybin-based therapies from preparation through long-term integration, potentially extending benefits beyond psychiatric disorders to inflammatory-related conditions.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2025.100732 5-HT Psilocybin Inflammation Neuropsychiatric disorders +7

Delayed psilocybin treatment after repeated mild traumatic brain injury recovers chronic behavioural deficits, reduces microglial density, and enhances hippocampal neurogenesis in rats

Research Square February 23, 2026 Sandy R. Shultz, Josh Allen, Grace O'Regan et al.

Repeated mild traumatic brain injury in rats produced lasting deficits in mood, social behavior, and pain sensitivity. Delayed treatment with psilocybin (1 mg/kg) reversed several of these effects, including antidepressant-like effects, increased social behavior, and raised pain thresholds. Psilocybin also reduced injury-related increases in microglial density and increased the number and complexity of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus, suggesting enhanced neuroplasticity. The findings indicate psilocybin may be a promising intervention for persistent symptoms after repeated mild traumatic brain injury.

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8555503/v1 Psilocybin Neuroplasticity Serotonergic Neurogenesis +14