Psilocybin and the Science of Longevity

New research from Emory School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA) and Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX) shows psilocybin may delay aging at the cellular level and improve survival in older mice.

[Image description: Mushrooms and the chemical structure of psilocybin.]

Can a psychedelic mushroom compound slow aging? A new research study published in npj Aging explores this question and offers the first experimental evidence that psilocybin—the psychoactive compound found in "magic mushrooms"—may act as a geroprotective agent. By examining both human cells in the lab and aged mice, researchers found that psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) significantly extended cellular lifespan and improved survival rates in elderly animals. These findings suggest psilocybin may have systemic effects that go far beyond the brain.

The full scientific paper is available to all via open access, published in npj Aging, available with open access online here:

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Kato K, Kleinhenz JM, Shin YJ, Coarfa C, Zarrabi AJ, Hecker L. Psilocybin treatment extends cellular lifespan and improves survival of aged mice. NPJ Aging. 2025 Jul 8;11(1):55. doi: 10.1038/s41514-025-00244-x.

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Study Overview

More than 150 clinical trials on psilocybin have been conducted to study its therapeutic benefits in treating depression, anxiety, addiction, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the impact of this natural product on aging has not been previously explored. Building on the "psilocybin-telomere hypothesis”, which proposes that psilocybin may preserve telomere length and combat biological aging, researchers tested whether psilocybin directly affects cellular senescence and organismal aging.

Study Methods

The researchers conducted both in vitro (human cells) and in vivo (mice) experiments:

• Cell Culture: Human fetal lung and adult skin fibroblasts were treated with psilocin, the active metabolite form of psilocybin, and compared to untreated controls. Researchers tracked cell proliferation, markers of senescence, telomere length, and oxidative stress levels.

• Animal Study: Aged (19-month-old) female mice received monthly oral psilocybin treatments over 10 months. Survival, body weight, and fur quality were monitored.

Major Findings

Cellular Lifespan Extended

Cells treated with psilocin showed delayed onset of senescence, with up to 57% longer lifespans compared to controls. These cells maintained higher proliferation rates and exhibited reduced markers of cell cycle arrest and oxidative stress. Importantly, telomere length—a hallmark of aging—was preserved in treated cells.

Reduced Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage

Psilocin-treated cells had increased levels of antioxidant regulators like SIRT1 and Nrf2 and reduced levels of pro-oxidant molecules such as Nox4 and GADD45a. These biomarkers suggest a protective effect against cellular damage.

Increased Survival in Aged Mice

Psilocybin-treated mice had significantly higher survival rates (80%) compared to controls (50%) at the study's end. Though weight changes were similar, treated mice showed improved fur quality, suggesting enhanced vitality.

Telomere Preservation

Psilocin treatment helped maintain telomere length in aging cells, supporting the idea that this compound could mitigate one of the central features of biological aging.

The Takeaway

This exciting study provides the first scientific evidence that psilocybin, long recognized for its psychoactive and therapeutic effects, may also play a role in delaying biological aging. Further studies are needed to clarify its molecular mechanisms, assess long-term safety, and explore its possible applications in human aging. Many questions remain concerning dose, frequency of administration, and suitability for human applications. But for now, this research represents an exciting first step to better understanding how psilocybin, a natural product long used in traditional systems of healing, may support human health and longevity in the future.

Yours in health, Dr. Quave

P.S. I have some exciting news to share! The senior author of the study, Dr. Louise Hecker, is a friend and colleague of mine. She graciously agreed to speak with me about this new research on my podcast, Foodie Pharmacology! Be sure to tune in to the podcast wherever you listen to shows or on the Teach Ethnobotany YouTube Channel on Monday, July 28th, to hear directly from her about the study design and what data she’s the most excited about!

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Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a Guggenheim Fellow, CNN Champion for Change, Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, recipient of The National Academies Award for Excellence in Science Communication, and award-winning author of The Plant Hunter. Her day job is as professor and herbarium director at Emory University School of Medicine, where she leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid subscription to Nature’s Pharmacy or donation to her lab research.

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