Current Biology
December 1, 2023
Nicholas Kolbman, Tiecheng Liu, Peter Guzzo et al.
21 citations
A single intravenous dose of psilocybin reduces mechanical hypersensitivity for 28 days in a rat model of formalin-induced chronic pain, suggesting potential for treating chronic pain conditions. The study addresses a gap in research on psilocybin's effectiveness for chronic pain, as prior work focused on psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. No systematic investigation had previously examined psilocybin's impact on chronic pain indices.
Current Biology
December 1, 2023
Alistair R. Mctaggart, Stephen Mclaughlin, Jason C. Slot et al.
6 citations
Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound from fungi, reveals fascinating insights into genetics and evolutionary biology. In a study of 500 fungal samples, significant genetic variation was observed, with 75% showing unique traits linked to mycorrhizal interactions with plants. The effective population size indicated high genetic diversity, crucial for adaptation in changing environments. Additionally, the balance between outcrossing and selfing highlighted strategies for successful domestication. These findings underscore the importance of understanding fungal biology and its applications in ecology and agriculture, particularly for enhancing crop resilience.
Current Biology
December 9, 2025
Sarah G. Cook, Stephanie J. Lee, Emma Ference et al.
3 citations
Psilocybin activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by stimulating corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (CRHPVN). This activation is more pronounced in female mice and depends on serotonergic 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors. The 5-HT2A receptor effects involve direct post-synaptic depolarization of CRHPVN neurons and increased presynaptic glutamate release. Psilocybin also alters how CRHPVN neurons respond to environmental changes, leading to a surprising decrease in activity that contrasts with typical stress responses. This context-specific modulation may be a key mechanism for recalibrating maladaptive stress reactivity, supporting the influence of setting on the psychedelic experience.
Current Biology
June 1, 2025
Jason Slot, Dirk Hoffmeister
2 citations
Various fungi across multiple phyla produce psychoactive compounds like psilocybin, ibotenic acid, muscimol, and lysergic acid amides, which affect human neurotransmitter receptors to cause profound psychological effects. These substances appear in mushroom-forming genera such as Psilocybe and Amanita, as well as ergot-producing Claviceps and insect-pathogenic Massospora. Ecologically, psychedelics may deter predators or aid spore dispersal. Biosynthetic enzymes are encoded in metabolic gene clusters that can spread via horizontal gene transfer, leading to a patchy distribution among species. The renewed study of these compounds presents both opportunities and challenges for science and society.