A research study from the University of Southern Denmark recommends that microdosing psilocybin (the active component of “magic mushrooms”) in rats enhances stress strength and reduces compulsive habits, offering possible healing applications for people.
Research studies on rats supply insight into how microdosing of psychedelic mushrooms may be used for restorative treatment in people.
A brand-new research study result from the University of Southern Denmark opens the door to the possibility of using psilocybin, the active substance in mushrooms with psychedelic residential or commercial properties, as a restorative tool through microdosing.
Psilocybin has long been recognized as a traditional psychedelic substance and has just recently been examined for its potential to help in the treatment of numerous psychiatric conditions, primarily depression and addiction, through treatment supplemented with a high dose of psilocybin.
In such therapeutic treatment, the patient takes psilocybin after extensive healing preparation and undergoes a psychedelic experience in a supportive environment with a qualified therapist. Subsequently, the experience is integrated over numerous therapy sessions.
Experiments are being performed with clients at medical facilities, including Bispebjerg Hospital and Rigshospitalet.
About Psilocybin:
Chemical Name: 4-phosphoryloxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine.
Psilocybin is a naturally happening psychoactive compound found in over 200 various types of mushrooms. In Danish nature, the liberty cap mushroom is the only one containing psilocybin.
Psilocybin has actually been used in religious and ritualistic contexts by different cultures for centuries, particularly amongst Native American people.
In the body, psilocybin is transformed into psilocin, which is responsible for its psychedelic effects.
Psilocybin impacts serotonin receptors in the brain, especially the 5-HT2A receptors, and can hence modify understanding, state of mind, and cognition.
Microdosing in Rats.
In the current study published on October 2 in Nature, Associate Professor of Molecular Psychiatry Mikael Palner and PhD trainee Kat Kiilerich from the Research Unit for Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark analyzed the results of small dosages of psilocybin on rats.
Their focus was on duplicated low doses of psilocybin, which are considerably lower than the dosages typically used in therapeutic settings and are frequently described as microdosing..
” Microdosing is a phenomenon popularized within performance culture, especially in areas like Silicon Valley, California, and has subsequently spread out through stories and anecdotes on the internet as a type of self-medication for various obstacles,” discusses Mikael Palner, the last author of the research study.
Scan of a rat brain showing the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor impacted by psilocybin. Credit: Mikael Palner, University of Southern Denmark.
Efficient for Stress and Compulsive Behaviors.
The study conducted on rats revealed that animals tolerated the repeated low doses of psilocybin well and did not display signs of lower pleasure (anhedonia), anxiety, or modified locomotor activity.
Most notably, duplicated low dosages of psilocybin increased the rats strength to stress, and they displayed fewer compulsive habits.
Furthermore, an increase in the variety of connections to the thalamus region of the brain, which works as a type of filter for our decisions and issues, was observed.
” The modification in connectivity to the thalamus may contribute to our improved strength to tension elements and could describe why numerous individuals report positive effects on their wellness from little dosages of psychedelic mushrooms.”.
A Promising New Approach.
Through the brand-new study, the scientists have developed a legitimate method that can be made use of for further research into the effects of duplicated low dosages of psilocybin. The study likewise lends support to the numerous anecdotal reports of the benefits of microdosing as a therapeutic intervention.
This paves the way for extra research and potentially completely new techniques to dealing with different psychological conditions.
” The increased anxiety and stress in society currently have placed a strong focus on microdosing, leading to a rise in the trade of mushrooms. Countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, the USA, and Canada have either legalized or are in the procedure of legislating psilocybin for restorative treatment,” states Mikael Palner.
” It is, for that reason, essential that we understand the results and side results of these substances, which are currently commonly utilized by individuals all over the world.”.
Enhanced Understanding With Potential.
Mikael Palner established an interest in investigating psychedelic substances and psilocybin when he resided in Silicon Valley, California, eleven years back and saw the rise of self-improvement practices that garnered substantial limelights and prompted more people to experiment with microdosing.
” Some books were published that popularized the principle of utilizing small doses of psychedelics to resolve both psychological issues and improve efficiency. This motivated me to release the project Ive been committed to for the past six years,” states Mikael Palner.
” Now, we can identify the suitable dose in rats, enabling us to examine the effects of microdosing, which could significantly advance our understanding of the brain and mental difficulties. This advantages both the field of science and society at large.”.
Reference: “Repeated low doses of psilocybin increase durability to tension, lower compulsive actions, and strengthen cortical connections to the paraventricular thalamic nucleus in rats” by Kat F. Kiilerich, Joe Lorenz, Malthe B. Scharff, Nikolaj Speth, Tobias G. Brandt, Julia Czurylo, Mengfei Xiong, Naja S. Jessen, Agata Casado-Sainz, Vladimir Shalgunov, Celia Kjaerby, Grzegorz Satała, Andrzej J. Bojarski, Anders A. Jensen, Matthias M. Herth, Paul Cumming, Agnete Overgaard and Mikael Palner, 2 October 2023, Molecular Psychiatry.DOI: 10.1038/ s41380-023-02280-z.
Mikael Palner is an associate professor associated with the Research Unit for Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine at SDU and OUH. He carries out research on the biological understanding of mental disorder and treatment with psychedelic substances.