Researchers from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark suggest that psilocybin, which is the main active ingredient found in magic mushrooms, may give rise to speedy and lasting antidepressant effects because it increases neuroplasticity in the brain. The study, which was reported in the “International Journal of Molecular Sciences,” has discovered evidence that psilocybin grows the number of neural connections in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of pig brains.
Psilocybin has been shown to possess long-lasting and profound effects on mood and personality. However, the mechanisms behind these effects are still not clear. For their study, the scientists from Copenhagen University focused on whether changes in neuroplasticity in various brain regions linked to emotional processing could help explain the antidepressant effects of psilocybin.
The study’s authors wrote that both in vivo and post-mortem human brain studies in depressed people had demonstrated a loss of synapses through the down-regulation of genes and synaptic proteins. This could explain why a growth in synaptic density and upregulation of presynaptic proteins may be linked to possible anti-depressive psychedelics effects.
Prior to this, the scientists had carried out tests to determine the proper dose of psilocybin that would be required in order to produce a psychoactive effect in pigs, which were used for the study because their brains are anatomically similar to those of humans.
The researchers administered an inert saline injection to a group of 12 pigs and gave another group of 12 pigs a psychoactive dose of psilocybin. Some of the pigs were then euthanized a day after psilocybin administration while the remaining ones were euthanized a week after psilocybin had been administered.
The researchers then examined brain tissue of the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus and noted that there were increases in the SV2A protein in the pigs who had received a dose of psilocybin. The protein, known as synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A, is usually low in patients suffering from major depressive disorder and is often used as a density marker of the brain’s synaptic nerve endings.
The researchers noted that one dose of psilocybin was found to increase the SV2A protein after a day, adding that it remained higher even a week after the psychedelic had been administered. They explained that increased presynaptic marker levels after psilocybin had been administered added to scientific evidence that psychedelics increase neuroplasticity, which could explain the mechanism of action of psilocybin’s antidepressant properties.
The research was authored by Gitte Moos Knudse, Hanne Demant Hansen, Brice Ozenne, Nidia Fernandez Ros, Lene Lundgaard Donovan, Annette Johansen and Nakul Ravi Raval.
This research is good news because it provides additional proof that psychedelics could have a role to play in treating various mental health disorders. Companies such as XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) may be onto something as they press ahead with developing psychedelic drug formulations targeting various conditions.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/XPHYF
About PsychedelicNewsWire
PsychedelicNewsWire (PNW) is a specialized content distribution company that (1) aggregates and distributes news and information on the latest developments in all aspects and advances of psychedelics and their use, (2) creates PsychedelicNewsBreaks designed to quickly update investors on important industry news, (3) leverages a team of expert editors to enhance press releases for maximum impact, (4) assists companies with the management and optimization of social media across a range of platforms, and (5) delivers unparalleled corporate communication solutions. PNW stays abreast of the latest information and has established a reputation as the go to source for coverage of psychedelics, therapeutics and emerging market opportunities. Our team of seasoned journalists has a proven track record of helping both public and private companies gain traction with a wide audience of investors, consumers, media outlets and the general public by leveraging our expansive dissemination network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets. PNW is committed to delivering improved visibility and brand recognition to companies operating in the emerging markets of psychedelics.
To receive instant SMS alerts, text “Groovy” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information please visit https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the PsychedelicNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by PNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
Do you have questions or are you interested in working with PNW? Ask our Editor
PsychedelicNewsWire (PNW)
San Francisco, California
www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@PsychedelicWire.com
PsychedelicNewsWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.