Computational Analysis of Psilocybin Effects on Three-Choice Touchscreen Reversal Learning in Rats: A Pilot Study
Psychedelic Medicine February 3, 2026 Anton T. Gregersen, Tobias Whelan, Caroline T. Golden et al. 2 citations
Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, impaired short-term learning and unlearning speeds in rats performing a three-choice visual reversal learning task, though exploratory analysis suggested possible long-term enhancements in learning dynamics. Only five of sixteen Long-Evans rats (31%) successfully completed all six reversal protocols, demonstrating significant learning and unlearning over time. Computational modeling showed low learning rates with no significant differences between psilocybin and placebo conditions on any parameters. The findings indicate a nuanced effect of psilocybin on cognitive flexibility, with potential relevance for its use in neuropsychiatric disorders, but further research is needed on long-term outcomes.