Mushrooms, Microdosing, and Mental Illness: The Effect of Psilocybin on Neurotransmitters, Neuroinflammation, and Neuroplasticity.

Mental health disorders are rising worldwide, and neuroinflammation contributes to many cases, especially depression and anxiety. Anti-inflammatory treatments help these conditions. Psilocin, the active compound in Psilocybe mushrooms, acts as a serotonin agonist and anti-inflammatory agent, enhances neuroplasticity, and reduces overactivity in the default mode network. Studies using hallucinogenic doses under therapist supervision consistently benefit depression and end-of-life anxiety. Microdosing psilocybin in sub-hallucinogenic doses also improves mood disorders and may offer a safer, cheaper, more accessible alternative to full doses for mood disorders and other inflammation-driven conditions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The incidence of mental health disorders is increasing worldwide. While there are multiple factors contributing to this problem, neuroinflammation underlies a significant subset of psychiatric conditions, particularly major depressive and anxiety disorders. Anti-inflammatory interventions have demonstrated benefit in these conditions. Psilocin, the active ingredient of mushrooms in the Psilocybe genus, is both a potent serotonin agonist and anti-inflammatory agent, increases neuroplasticity, and decreases overactivity in the default mode network. Studies using hallucinogenic doses of psilocin under the supervision of a therapist/guide have consistently demonstrated benefits to individuals with depression and end-of-life anxiety. Microdosing psilocybin in sub-hallucinogenic doses has also demonstrated benefit in mood disorders, and may offer a safe, less expensive, and more available alternative to full doses of psilocybin for mood disorders, as well as for other medical conditions in which inflammation is the principal pathophysiology.