Huberman Lab

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

May 8, 2023

Explore the fascinating world of psilocybin and its impact on the brain. Discover how this compound triggers neuroplasticity, leading to potential therapeutic benefits for depression and addictions. Learn about the different dosages and the significance of set and setting during a psilocybin experience. The discussion also highlights which groups may be at risk and the evolving legal landscape surrounding its use. This in-depth look provides valuable insights for anyone curious about psychedelics and mental health.

02:05:23

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Quick takeaways

Psilocybin induces neuroplasticity in our brain, leading to long-lasting shifts in emotional, cognitive, and behavioral patterns.

Setting, mindset, and support are crucial in ensuring safety and effectiveness during a psilocybin journey.

Psilocybin broadens sensory information flow and activates brain circuitry in a less precise and more interconnected manner, resulting in the unique experiences reported during a psilocybin journey.

Psilocybin expands brain connectivity, leading to new ideas, improved functioning, and long-term changes in individuals' lives.

Psilocybin therapy can enhance emotional response to music, allowing individuals with depression to experience joy and alleviating depressiveness triggered by certain songs.

Deep dives

Psilocybin and its effects on consciousness

Psilocybin, a psychedelic substance, alters our level of consciousness and perception. It not only affects our thoughts and feelings but also induces long-lasting changes even after the psychedelic experience has ended. The potential therapeutic use of psilocybin for mental health issues like depression, addiction, and eating disorders is generating excitement in the medical field.

The Effects of Mushroom Dosage on Therapeutic Outcomes

01:35

The Six Hour Journey After Taking Psilocybin

01:17

The Benefits of Eye Masks for the Psilocybin Journey

03:16

Understanding Serotonin Receptor Expression and Pyramidal Neurons in the Brain

00:37

Intro

8min

Exploring Psilocybin: Understanding Its Effects and Therapeutic Potentials

4min

Exploring Psilocybin: From Chemical Structure to Therapeutic Applications

47min

The Impact of Psilocybin on Neural Connectivity and Emotional Rewiring

1h 8min

Exploring the Benefits of Supplements and Wellness Resources

2min

In this episode, I discuss what psilocybin is (chemically) and how it works at the cellular and neural circuit level to trigger neuroplasticity, which is our brain’s ability to rewire itself in ways that lead to long-lasting shifts in our emotional, cognitive and behavioral patterns and abilities. I discuss the emerging clinical trial evidence for the use of psilocybin in the treatment of depression, addictions and other psychiatric challenges. I explain the typical duration and phases of a psilocybin journey, the different categories of dosages often used and I explain the importance of set, setting and support when using psychedelics. I explain which groups of people place themselves at great risk by taking psilocybin as well as groups that could benefit, and I highlight the rapidly changing legal and medical landscape around psilocybin. This episode is a thorough exploration of psilocybin from the scientific and clinical literature perspective and ought to be of interest to anyone curious about psilocybin, mental health, neuroplasticity and/or psychedelics more generally.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

(00:00:00) Psilocybin, Legal Considerations

(00:08:48) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up

(00:12:00) Psilocybin Becomes Psilocin in the Gut, Serotonin

(00:17:00) The Serotonin 2A Receptor, Therapeutic Outcomes SSRIs vs. Psilocybin

(00:21:40) Serotonin Receptor Expression; Visual Hallucinations & Eyes Closed

(00:26:02) Sponsor: AG1

(00:27:21) Safety & Cautions for Specific Patient Populations

(00:30:28) Psilocybin, “Magic Mushrooms” Dosing, Micro-Dosing, “Heroic Doses”

(00:36:21) Psychedelic Journey: Set, Setting & Support

(00:43:43) Music & the Psilocybin Journey; Duration of Effects

(00:48:58) Psilocybin & the Brain: Subjective Experiences, Perception

(00:59:48) Brain Networks & Therapeutic Outcomes

(01:05:23) Creativity; Music, Emotionality & Psychedelic Journeys

(01:12:39) Depression & Psychedelics as Neuroplasticity “Wedge”

(01:16:53) Positive Psychedelic Journeys, Unity, “Oceanic Boundlessness”

(01:25:23) “Bad Trips”, Anxiety & Physiological Sighs

(01:32:57) Therapeutic Use of Psilocybin

(01:36:11) Neuroplasticity, Structural Brain Changes & Psilocybin

(01:48:08) Psychedelics: Therapeutic Breakthroughs & Depression

(01:56:37) Combining Psilocybin Therapy & Talk Therapy, Antidepressant Effects

(02:03:11) Psilocybin Experience & Mental Health

(2:06:42) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter, Social Media

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Huberman Lab

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

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Psilocybin and its effects on consciousness

Understanding the chemistry and mechanism of psilocybin

The importance of set and setting in a psilocybin journey

The subjective experience and neural effects of psilocybin

Psilocybin induces expanded brain connectivity

Psilocybin enhances emotional response to music

Psilocybin experiences and therapeutic outcomes

The importance of letting go during the psilocybin journey

The therapeutic potential of psilocybin for depression

The Effects of Mushroom Dosage on Therapeutic Outcomes

The Six Hour Journey After Taking Psilocybin

The Benefits of Eye Masks for the Psilocybin Journey

Understanding Serotonin Receptor Expression and Pyramidal Neurons in the Brain

Thank you to our sponsors

Timestamps

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts