Psilocybin effects on brain functional connectivity: a systematic review of fMRI studies
Discover Mental Health March 19, 2026 Àlvar Farré-colomés, Olga Rublinetska, Óscar Soto-Angona
This review gathers all available fMRI evidence from psilocybin studies. Twenty unique datasets were identified, five of which included participants diagnosed with depression. Dropout rates were high, and most studies lacked follow-up scanning timepoints. Research has concentrated on the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and prefrontal cortex as key regions involved in psilocybin's effects. However, methods and designs across studies are inconsistent. More research is needed to clarify psilocybin's impact on the human brain and its potential to enhance psychotherapy outcomes.