A new study suggests that psilocybine, the active ingredient of hallucinogenic mushrooms, could help reduce inflammation and improve neural connectivity after a head injury.
I fhallucinogen Allies of the brain? For years, scientists have been studying their potential for the care of depression and as an ally in mental health treatments, but now a new study arrives that demonstrates its reparative potential in case of brain trauma.
It is now known that the repeated stresses in the head, even slight, can have long -term consequences on brain health. Athletes, war veterans and even elderly victims of accidental falls are exposed to a greater risk of developing dementia, parkinson and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. These trauma, often silent, cause inflammation in the brain and alter its neural connections.
Currently there is no medical treatment approved to combat these damages, but a new research conducted by Northeastern University suggests that a possible solution could be in a surprising natural compound: the psilocybinethe active ingredient present, in fact, in hallucinogenic mushrooms.
According to researchers, this compound could encourage neural regeneration, reduce inflammation and restore altered brain connectivity after a trauma. The preliminary results have been defined as “stunning” by Professor Craig Ferris, one of the authors of the study, who observed that psilocubious has significantly improved the brain functions compromised by trauma.
The hallucinogenic mushrooms as brain allies?
The study analyzed the effect of psilocybin on slight repeated brain trauma, of the type that can occur in athletes, in the military and the elderly due to falls, accidents or head shots. These impacts, although not causing visible damage to the skull, can still lead to inflammation, reduction of cerebral blood flow and alterations of neural connections.
After suffering a trauma, the subjects of the study (which is still conducted on animals) was administered one dose of psilocybin And their conditions were monitored through magnetic resonances (MRI) and tests on cognitive and motor functions.
How does psilocybine affect the brain after a trauma?
The results revealed that psilocubes had surprising effects not only in reducing cerebral edema, or the swelling caused by trauma, but also in restoring neural connectivity, with an improvement in communication between the different areas of the brain. In addition, an A has also been ascertainedHument of the neurotrophic factor derived from the brain (BDNF)a fundamental protein for the growth and repair of neurons and the RMuoring of the Tau phosphorylated proteina biomarker associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
As well as a general strengthening of the blood-brain barrierwhich protects the brain from harmful substances.
A new hope for neuroprotection? According to Professor Ferris, author of the study, the observed phenomenon is truly promising:
We discovered that following a head injury, functional connections in the brain decrease. But after the administration of psilocybine, they not only restore themselves, but the brain even becomes hyperconnex.
Towards new therapeutic perspectives?
This research represents a important step In understanding how psilocybin could be used to treat brain trauma and, potentially, other neurodegenerative diseases such as theAlzheimer. Scholars now want to deepen the effects of long -term treatment, to understand if psilocybin can also be useful time after the trauma occurrence.
If confirmed by subsequent studies, these results could open the way to New natural therapies To protect the brain from damage caused by trauma and neurodegenerative diseases. THE hallucinogenic mushroomsalways known for their psychedelic effects, could thus prove to be An unuspected resource for regenerative medicine.
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