Huberman Lab – How Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Its Therapeutic Benefits & Its Risks

Intro

In this episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, Dr. Andrew Huberman explores the fascinating world of psilocybin, a psychedelic compound known for its potential therapeutic benefits. Dr. Huberman delves into how psilocybin can rewire our brain, its therapeutic effects on mental health issues, and the risks associated with its use.

Main Takeaways

Psilocybin’s Therapeutic Potential

• Psilocybin is being explored for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health issues such as depression, alcohol abuse disorder, addictions, OCD, and eating disorders.
• Proper psilocybin therapeutic approaches can lead to positive changes after the session, such as longstanding improvements in mood, insight into oneself and others, creativity, and dissociation from triggers for depression.
• Psilocybin outperforms standard therapy and SSRIs for depression relief in clinical trials.

Understanding Psilocybin and Neuroplasticity

• Psilocybin mimics serotonin and activates a subset of serotonin receptors, leading to neuroplasticity at the level of the neural circuits.
• Psilocybin journey conditions impact its therapeutic potential, including eyes open/closed, music, and dosage level.
• Psilocybin selectively binds to serotonin-2A receptors, unlike SSRIs which have a non-specific effect on serotonin transmission.
• Psilocybin triggers visual hallucinations due to the high expression of serotonin-2A receptors in the visual cortex.
• Psilocybin induces structural and functional plasticity in the human and animal brain at therapeutic doses of 10-25mg per session.

Safety Concerns and Legal Status

• Psilocybin is illegal except in clinical studies and decriminalized areas.
• Safety concerns exist for young people, those on antidepressants, and those at risk for psychotic episodes.
• Psilocybin use is contraindicated for people with existing or predisposition to psychotic or bipolar episodes.

Psilocybin and Music

• Psilocybin can enhance creativity and pleasure in music.
• Music played during psilocybin sessions matches and can drive the contour of the journey, starting with low volume classical music and transitioning into intense percussion music during the peak.
• Psilocybin therapy for depression increases low-frequency brain responses to music, suggesting a potential link to increased creativity.

Psilocybin and Neurogenesis

• Psilocybin induces both structural and functional plasticity in the human and animal brain, potentially through the growth of dendrites and dendritic spines in pyramidal neurons.
• Psilocybin-induced neuroplasticity is mostly focused on animal models, particularly mice and rats.
• Psilocybin shows promising results in treating major depression and intractable depression, among other disorders.

Summary

Psilocybin’s Therapeutic Potential

Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, is being investigated for its potential therapeutic benefits in various mental health issues such as depression, alcohol abuse disorder, addictions, OCD, and eating disorders. Proper psilocybin therapeutic approaches can lead to long-lasting improvements in mood, insight, creativity, and dissociation from depression triggers. Clinical trials have shown that psilocybin outperforms standard therapy and SSRIs in relieving depression.

Understanding Psilocybin and Neuroplasticity

Psilocybin mimics serotonin and activates specific serotonin receptors, leading to neuroplasticity in neural circuits. The therapeutic potential of psilocybin is influenced by journey conditions, including eyes open/closed, music, and dosage level. Unlike SSRIs, which have a non-specific effect on serotonin transmission, psilocybin selectively binds to serotonin-2A receptors. This binding triggers visual hallucinations and induces structural and functional plasticity in the brain. Therapeutic doses of psilocybin range from 10-25mg per session.

Safety Concerns and Legal Status

Psilocybin is illegal except in clinical studies and decriminalized areas. Safety concerns exist for young people, individuals on antidepressants, and those at risk for psychotic episodes. People with existing or predisposition to psychotic or bipolar episodes should not use psilocybin. It is essential to prioritize safety and consult a highly trained physician before considering psilocybin therapy.

Psilocybin and Music

Psilocybin can enhance creativity and pleasure in music. During psilocybin sessions, the choice of music can drive the contour of the journey, starting with low volume classical music and transitioning into intense percussion music during the peak. Psilocybin therapy for depression has been shown to increase low-frequency brain responses to music, potentially linked to increased creativity.

Psilocybin and Neurogenesis

Psilocybin induces structural and functional plasticity in the human and animal brain, potentially through the growth of dendrites and dendritic spines in pyramidal neurons. While most research on psilocybin-induced neuroplasticity focuses on animal models, promising results have been observed in treating major depression and intractable depression. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and potential of psilocybin-induced neurogenesis.

Conclusion

Psilocybin, a powerful psychedelic compound, holds tremendous therapeutic potential for various mental health issues. Its ability to induce neuroplasticity and create positive changes in mood, creativity, and insight is promising. However, safety concerns and legal restrictions must be considered before using psilocybin. Further research and understanding of psilocybin’s effects on the brain are necessary to fully harness its therapeutic benefits.