State lawmakers and researchers have been equally fixated on the potential of psilocybin in the last few years. Oregon and Colorado dove into regulating therapeutic psilocybin and other states like Washington are attempting to follow suit. Meanwhile, studies and trials work to support theories of the therapeutic value of magic mushrooms.
RELATED: This cannabis technique has the weed world divided
One cross-sectional study indicated the potential for psilocybin as a migraine treatment just last week. Knowledge about the treatment potential of the psychedelic is constantly expanding. Every research paper takes the community closer to knowing whether it works, but few have delved into how–until now.
A German research team from the Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research, backed by a litany of academic institutions from the country, published a paper illuminating how psilocybin activates and expands the mind.
“What we observed is fascinating,” explains Dr. Malin Schmidt, first author of the study, said to the Central Institute of Mental Health (the Institute) in Mannheim.
Magic Mushroom research uncovers the “how”
The research seeks to complement therapeutic-based inquiries, supporting treatment findings with neurobiological mechanisms that explain them. Psilocin, the compound that the body creates after digesting psilocybin. They specifically sought to identify alterations to neural plasticity. Increasing this function may help with depression, help people learn, recover from stroke, and other benefits.
To learn more about how the brain could alter neuroplasticity, researchers used a combination of cell cultures, recording, and imaging techniques to observe the human cortical neurons. These little neurons process sensory and motor information and regulate complex behaviors.
The team of scientists observed how psilocin enhanced the complexity of neural plasticity–proving something psychonauts have claimed time and time again. Turns on, magic mushrooms could quite possibly expand your mind.
The scientific explanation is a bit more complicated. Essentially, nerve cells made more branches and created more brain-derived neurotrophic factors. This protein aids neurons in survival, growth, and plasticity. The protein is vital for learning and memory retention. Research shows this persisted for several days, and communication between nerve cells increased significantly.
“Put simply, psilocin makes the brain more malleable again,” study leader Prof. Dr. Philipp Koch explained to the Institute. “Our results provide explanations at the cellular level for the positive effects observed in clinical studies with psilocybin in patients with depression, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder.”
RELATED: New weed products look to end a nightly struggle
Psilocin neuroplasticity connection highlights potential
Enhancing neural plasticity might help in the development of treatments for Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, and traumatic brain injury. There is also research showing that nurturing this part of the brain makes people more open-minded.
While seasoned day trippers may roll their eyes because this is something they have innately known since their first sips of shroom tea, the ability to prove it with science is significant. As states implement therapeutic psilocybin practitioners and centers, medical doctors are far more likely to get on board if science backs up the potentiality.
