Neuroprotective effects of psilocybin in a rat model of stroke.
BMC neuroscience October 8, 2024 Seong-Jin Yu, Kuo-Jen Wu, Yu-Syuan Wang et al. 8 citations
Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, reduced brain damage and improved movement in rats after a stroke. In lab dishes, it protected rat neurons from damage caused by glutamate, a chemical that can kill brain cells during stroke. This protection was blocked by a drug that inhibits BDNF, a protein that supports neuron health. In rats, giving psilocybin before or soon after a stroke reduced the size of brain infarction and improved locomotor behavior. It also increased markers of healthy neurons and decreased markers of inflammation in the brain. The findings suggest psilocybin's protective effects involve BDNF, supporting its potential as a novel stroke treatment.