Psychedelic Youth? Psilocybin Shows Rejuvenating Effects

Scientists have discovered that psilocybin, a substance found in hallucinogenic mushrooms, can help slow cellular aging and increase longevity. In tests with human cells and elderly mice, the substance protected DNA, reduced cellular stress, and prolonged lifespan. This indicates that, in addition to treating conditions such as depression and anxiety, psilocybin may have the potential to aid in healthy aging.

Psilocybin is a natural psychedelic substance found in certain hallucinogenic mushrooms. Recently, it has attracted great interest from the scientific community due to its potential therapeutic effects.

More than 150 clinical studies have been conducted with this substance, investigating its impact on disorders such as depression, anxiety, addiction, Alzheimer's, chronic pain, and others. A single dose has shown lasting benefits; in some cases, positive effects are still observed up to five years after use.

However, the exact way psilocybin acts in the body is still not fully understood, especially regarding its possible effects on cellular aging.

A recent hypothesis called the "psilocybin-telomere hypothesis" suggests that psilocybin may act to preserve telomeres, structures located at the ends of chromosomes that protect our DNA.

Telomere shortening is linked to aging and related diseases such as depression, chronic stress, and cognitive decline. Conversely, people with more positive mental states tend to have longer telomeres. The idea, therefore, is that psilocybin may help slow cellular aging by protecting these structures.

To test this, scientists used human cells in the laboratory (lung and skin fibroblasts) and treated them with psilocin, the active form of psilocybin in the body. It was found that the substance slowed the aging of these cells, extending their "lifespan" by up to 57%.

The cells also showed lower oxidative stress, increased activity linked to DNA repair, and fewer signs of aging, without becoming cancerous. In short, psilocin helped the cells stay young longer.

In addition to the cell tests, the researchers also evaluated the effects of psilocybin on aged mice, which received monthly doses of the substance for 10 months (the equivalent of treatment for elderly humans).

The results were impressive: 80% of the treated mice survived to the end of the study, compared to only 50% of those that did not receive psilocybin. These mice also had a healthier physical appearance, with improved coat quality.

In this study, elderly female mice (approximately 19 months old) were treated for 10 months with psilocybin, a natural compound found in mushrooms, or with a neutral substance (control). The figure shows that the psilocybin-treated mice (green line) lived longer than those in the control group (black line), as shown in graph B. Furthermore, as illustrated in the photos in section C, the mice that received psilocybin appeared healthier visually at 28 months, with fewer signs of aging, such as hair loss and discoloration, marked by red arrows. The control mice, on the other hand, appeared more debilitated. This suggests that psilocybin may slow aging and improve quality of life in elderly animal models.

The explanation may lie in serotonin receptors, especially 5-HT2A, which is activated by psilocybin. This receptor is present in various cells in the body, including neurons, immune cells, and skin cells.

Its activation appears to stimulate antioxidant enzymes and proteins such as SIRT1, known to slow cellular aging. Improvements in processes such as protection against DNA damage, preservation of telomere length, and reduced inflammation have also been observed.

These findings suggest that psilocybin may not only treat mental illness but also act as a geroprotectant, a type of substance that helps slow aging and promote longevity. Despite the promising results, the study acknowledges that more experiments are still needed, especially to understand the potential risks of prolonged use, its impact on different sexes, and its effects on cancer.

Unfortunately, psilocybin research still faces significant obstacles, such as regulatory barriers (because it is a controlled substance) and a lack of public funding. However, the FDA's recognition of psilocybin as a "breakthrough therapy" reinforces its potential and safety.

This study paves the way for new therapies and reinforces the idea that natural compounds can have profound and lasting effects on human health, including combating aging.

READ MORE:

Psilocybin treatment extends cellular lifespan and improves survival of aged mice

Kosuke Kato, Jennifer M. Kleinhenz, Yoon-Joo Shin, Cristian Coarfa, Ali J. Zarrabi, and Louise Hecker 

npj Aging, volume 11, Article number: 55 (2025) 

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41514-025-00244-x

Abstract: 

Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by hallucinogenic mushrooms, has received attention due to considerable clinical evidence for its therapeutic potential to treat various psychiatric and neurodegenerative indications. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain enigmatic, and few studies have explored its systemic impacts. We provide the first experimental evidence that psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) treatment extends cellular lifespan and psilocybin treatment promotes increased longevity in aged mice, suggesting that psilocybin may be a potent geroprotective agent.