The Effect of Psilocybe cubensis on Spatial Memory and BDNF Expression in Male Rats Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs November 13, 2024 Reza Ghaffarzadegan, Mokhtar Karimi, Behnaz Hedayatjoo et al. 6 citations
Chronic unpredictable mild stress for four weeks impaired spatial learning and memory and reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of rats. Injecting a Psilocybe cubensis extract (20 mg/kg) 24 or 48 hours before training restored spatial learning, and injection 48 hours before training also restored spatial memory. The extract given 24 or 48 hours before training increased hippocampal BDNF in stressed rats. However, when given at other times (5 minutes before training, 5 minutes after training, or 5 minutes before the probe test), the extract impaired spatial learning and memory and decreased BDNF in non-stressed control rats. The timing of administration appears critical for the extract's effects on memory and BDNF.