Letter to the editor: Comments on ‘Striking long-term beneficial effects of single-dose psilocybin and psychedelic mushroom extract in the SAPAP3 rodent model of OCD-like excessive self-grooming’ by Brownstien et al. (2024)

A study in a mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)-like behaviors tested a psychedelic mushroom extract (PME) for potential therapeutic benefits. The research used SAPAP3 knockout mice, which exhibit compulsive grooming and other OCD-like behaviors. The findings suggest that PME may reduce these behaviors, indicating possible therapeutic effects. This work underscores the need for well-designed preclinical studies in the growing field of psychedelic research for psychiatric disorders.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The growing interest in psychedelic compounds for psychiatric disorders highlights the importance of well-designed preclinical studies [ 1 , 2 ]. In this context, Brownstein et al. [ 3 ] recently reported evidence of potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic mushroom extract (PME) in the SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mouse model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)-like behaviours.