A compound present in psychedelic mushrooms might have antiaging properties. Researchers at Baylor Faculty of Drugs have discovered that psilocybin, the lively compound in psychedelic mushrooms, might lengthen each mobile and organismal lifespans.
The findings, printed within the journal npj Ageing, present that psilocybin lowered a number of hallmarks of growing older in cells whereas additionally bettering survival in aged mice.
“There have been a lot of medical research which have explored the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in psychiatric situations corresponding to melancholy and nervousness; nonetheless, few research have evaluated its impacts exterior the mind,” mentioned Dr. Louise Hecker, affiliate professor of drugs—cardiovascular analysis at Baylor and senior writer of the examine.
“The overwhelming majority of what we learn about psilocybin is the way it impacts the mind. Our findings recommend that psilocybin has potent results on your complete physique, together with antiaging properties, which additionally might contribute to the plethora of noticed useful medical outcomes.”
Telomeres, the protecting caps of repetitive DNA sequences positioned on the ends of chromosomes, shorten as we age—telomere shortening is a basic hallmark of growing older. Hecker’s analysis means that psilocybin therapy preserves telomere size, which contributes to mobile life extension.
Within the present examine, utilizing human cells, the workforce discovered that psilocybin prolonged mobile lifespan by as much as 57% relying on dosages. In cells, psilocin (the lively metabolite of psilocybin) delayed mobile senescence, preserved telomere size and lowered oxidative stress ranges. Their findings additionally recommend it results in elevated SIRT1 expression, which is related to regulating longevity, in addition to different mobile markers indicating improved DNA injury responses.
The examine additionally confirmed that when psilocybin was administered to aged mice (the equal to a 60-year-old in human age), mice confirmed considerably improved survival in comparison with management mice. Researchers additionally famous a visual enchancment in fur high quality, which suggests more healthy growing older, as nicely.
“It is a very thrilling and clinically related discovering that implies that even when intervention is initiated late in life, it could have dramatic impacts,” mentioned Dr. Kosuke Kato, lead writer of the examine and assistant professor of drugs—pulmonary at Baylor.
“Our findings open an thrilling new chapter in psychedelic analysis past its neurological and psychological advantages,” Hecker mentioned. “Psilocybin might symbolize a disruptive agent that promotes wholesome growing older. The subsequent steps have to discover the therapeutic results throughout a number of age-related ailments.”
“You will need to be aware that further analysis is required to validate these findings in human research,” Kato mentioned. “There’s nonetheless rather a lot to know, together with optimum dosing protocols that can result in maximal efficacy. We additionally want to raised perceive the potential dangers of long-term psilocybin therapy earlier than this sort of therapy is prepared for public use.”
As soon as validated in human research, the usage of psilocybin might supply new choices for wholesome growing older and probably age-associated ailments.
Extra data:
Kosuke Kato et al, Psilocybin therapy extends mobile lifespan and improves survival of aged mice, npj Ageing (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41514-025-00244-x
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Can psychedelic mushrooms flip again the clock? Examine suggests psilocybin preserves telomere size (2025, July 8)
retrieved 8 July 2025
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