Download "How Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Its Therapeutic Benefits & Its Risks | Huberman Lab Podcast"

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. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/eu/huberman/ ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman HVMN: https://hvmn.com/ code: “Huberman” LMNT: https://partners.drinklmnt.com/free-gift-with-purchase?rfsn=6327528.ecaabe8&rfsn_cn=EXCLUSIVE+GIFT+FOR+THE+HUBERMAN+LAB+COMMUNITY Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Social & Website Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/unsupportedbrowser Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unsupportedbrowser LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com/ Newsletter: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter Articles The neural basis of psychedelic action: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-022-01177-4?error=cookies_not_supported&code=bcacb6f5-4b59-4752-9076-50bbeeb08365 The effects of psilocybin and MDMA on between-network resting state functional connectivity in healthy volunteers: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00204/full Increased low-frequency brain responses to music after psilocybin therapy for depression: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032723005426?via%3Dihub Quality of Acute Psychedelic Experience Predicts Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2017.00974/full Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(22)00474-8?_returnURL=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2666379122004748%3Fshowall%3Dtrue Therapeutic use of psilocybin: Practical considerations for dosing and administration: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1040217/full Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo: https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(21)00423-2?_returnURL=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0896627321004232%3Fshowall%3Dtrue Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.724606/full Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206443 Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2772630 The costs and benefits of psychedelics on cognition and mood: https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(22)01152-7?_returnURL=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0896627322011527%3Fshowall%3Dtrue Other Resources The Physiological Sigh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBdhqBGqiMc Dr. Matthew Johnson: Psychedelic Medicine: https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/dr-matthew-johnson-psychedelic-medicine Timestamps 00:00:00 Psilocybin, Legal Considerations 00:08:32 Sponsors: Eight Sleep, ROKA, HVMN 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 00:27:21 Safety & Cautions for Specific Patient Populations 00:29:13 Sponsor: AG1 (Athletic Greens) 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 00:58:36 Sponsor: LMNT 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 02:06:42 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter, Social Media Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com/ Disclaimer: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer