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Psilocybin is at the center of emerging anti-aging science due to recent preclinical studies, particularly a landmark 2025 study from researchers at Emory University and Baylor College of Medicine. These initial findings suggest psilocybin may promote healthy aging and increase longevity at a cellular level, though human trials are needed to confirm these effects.
Key Research Findings
The July 2025 study, published in the journal npj Aging, presented the first experimental evidence of psilocybin's potential anti-aging effects:
Proposed Mechanisms of Action
Researchers believe psilocybin influences several key biological markers of aging by:
Future Outlook and Caveats
While these results are promising, experts caution that this is early-stage, preclinical research:
Graciela Gutierrez
713-798-4710
Houston, TX - Jul 8, 2025
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A compound found in psychedelic mushrooms may have antiaging properties. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have found that psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, may extend both cellular and organismal lifespans.
The findings, in the latest edition of Nature Partnering Journal (NPJ) Aging, show that psilocybin reduced multiple hallmarks of aging in cells while also improving survival in aged mice.
“There have been a number of clinical studies that have explored the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety; however, few studies have evaluated its impacts outside the brain,” said Dr. Louise Hecker, associate professor of medicine – cardiovascular research at Baylor and senior author of the study. “The overwhelming majority of what we know about psilocybin is how it impacts the brain. Our findings suggest that psilocybin has potent effects on the entire body, including antiaging properties, which also may contribute to the plethora of observed beneficial clinical outcomes.”
Telomeres, the protective caps of repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes, shorten as we age – telomere shortening is a classic hallmark of aging. Hecker’s research suggests that psilocybin treatment preserves telomere length, which contributes to cellular life extension.
In the current study, using human cells, the team found that psilocybin extended cellular lifespan up to 57% depending on dosages. In cells, psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) delayed cellular senescence, preserved telomere length and reduced oxidative stress levels. Their findings also suggest it leads to increased SIRT1 expression, which is associated with regulating longevity, as well as other cellular markers indicating improved DNA damage responses.
The study also showed that when psilocybin was administered to aged mice (the equivalent to a 60-year-old in human age), mice showed significantly improved survival compared to control mice. Researchers also noted a visible improvement in fur quality, which suggests healthier aging, as well. “This is a very exciting and clinically relevant finding that suggests that even when intervention is initiated late in life, it can have dramatic impacts,” said Dr. Kosuke Kato, lead author of the study and assistant professor of medicine – pulmonary at Baylor.
“Our findings open an exciting new chapter in psychedelic research beyond its neurological and psychological benefits,” Hecker said. “Psilocybin may represent a disruptive agent that promotes healthy aging. The next steps need to explore the therapeutic effects across multiple age-related diseases.”
“It is important to note that additional research is needed to validate these findings in human studies,” Kato said. “There is still a lot to understand, including optimal dosing protocols that will lead to maximal efficacy. We also need to better understand the potential risks of long-term psilocybin treatment before this type of treatment is ready for public use.”
Once validated in human studies, the use of psilocybin could offer new options for healthy aging and potentially age-associated diseases.
The study was initiated at Emory University and supported by several internal awards, including the Imagine, Innovative, and Impact (I3) Award from the Emory School of Medicine, the Georgia CTSA NIH Award, and a grant from Emory’s Woodruff Health Sciences Center for Health in Aging. Drs. Hecker and Kato have since moved to Baylor, where they completed the analyses of this study.
www.bcm.edu
Key Research Findings
The July 2025 study, published in the journal npj Aging, presented the first experimental evidence of psilocybin's potential anti-aging effects:
- Extended Cellular Lifespan: Treatment with psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) extended the lifespan of human skin and lung cells in the lab by over 50% compared to untreated cells.
- Improved Survival in Mice: Aged mice (equivalent to 60-65 human years) given a monthly dose of psilocybin had an 80% survival rate over a 10-month period, compared to 50% in the control group. These mice also showed visible signs of better health, such as healthier, fuller fur.
Proposed Mechanisms of Action
Researchers believe psilocybin influences several key biological markers of aging by:
- Preserving Telomere Length: Telomeres are protective caps on chromosomes that shorten with age. Psilocybin treatment was associated with maintaining telomere length, which helps protect the genome from damage.
- Reducing Oxidative Stress: Psilocybin appears to reduce "wear and tear" on cells by lowering oxidative stress, a major contributor to aging and age-related diseases.
- Boosting Longevity Genes: The compound increased levels of SIRT1, a protein that regulates cellular metabolism, DNA repair, and longevity.
- Enhancing DNA Repair Responses: Psilocybin improved the cells' ability to repair DNA damage.
Future Outlook and Caveats
While these results are promising, experts caution that this is early-stage, preclinical research:
- Human Trials Needed: Extensive additional research and human trials are necessary to determine if these effects translate to humans, the optimal dosage protocols, and long-term safety.
- Potential Risks: The long-term use of psilocybin needs further study to understand potential risks, such as the impact on cancer progression or psychological dependence.
- Beyond the Brain: This research opens a new frontier for understanding psilocybin's systemic impacts beyond its well-known psychological and neurological effects.
Can psychedelic mushrooms turn back the clock?
Graciela Gutierrez
713-798-4710
Houston, TX - Jul 8, 2025
Share this article
A compound found in psychedelic mushrooms may have antiaging properties. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have found that psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, may extend both cellular and organismal lifespans.
The findings, in the latest edition of Nature Partnering Journal (NPJ) Aging, show that psilocybin reduced multiple hallmarks of aging in cells while also improving survival in aged mice.
“There have been a number of clinical studies that have explored the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety; however, few studies have evaluated its impacts outside the brain,” said Dr. Louise Hecker, associate professor of medicine – cardiovascular research at Baylor and senior author of the study. “The overwhelming majority of what we know about psilocybin is how it impacts the brain. Our findings suggest that psilocybin has potent effects on the entire body, including antiaging properties, which also may contribute to the plethora of observed beneficial clinical outcomes.”
Telomeres, the protective caps of repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes, shorten as we age – telomere shortening is a classic hallmark of aging. Hecker’s research suggests that psilocybin treatment preserves telomere length, which contributes to cellular life extension.
In the current study, using human cells, the team found that psilocybin extended cellular lifespan up to 57% depending on dosages. In cells, psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) delayed cellular senescence, preserved telomere length and reduced oxidative stress levels. Their findings also suggest it leads to increased SIRT1 expression, which is associated with regulating longevity, as well as other cellular markers indicating improved DNA damage responses.
The study also showed that when psilocybin was administered to aged mice (the equivalent to a 60-year-old in human age), mice showed significantly improved survival compared to control mice. Researchers also noted a visible improvement in fur quality, which suggests healthier aging, as well. “This is a very exciting and clinically relevant finding that suggests that even when intervention is initiated late in life, it can have dramatic impacts,” said Dr. Kosuke Kato, lead author of the study and assistant professor of medicine – pulmonary at Baylor.
“Our findings open an exciting new chapter in psychedelic research beyond its neurological and psychological benefits,” Hecker said. “Psilocybin may represent a disruptive agent that promotes healthy aging. The next steps need to explore the therapeutic effects across multiple age-related diseases.”
“It is important to note that additional research is needed to validate these findings in human studies,” Kato said. “There is still a lot to understand, including optimal dosing protocols that will lead to maximal efficacy. We also need to better understand the potential risks of long-term psilocybin treatment before this type of treatment is ready for public use.”
Once validated in human studies, the use of psilocybin could offer new options for healthy aging and potentially age-associated diseases.
The study was initiated at Emory University and supported by several internal awards, including the Imagine, Innovative, and Impact (I3) Award from the Emory School of Medicine, the Georgia CTSA NIH Award, and a grant from Emory’s Woodruff Health Sciences Center for Health in Aging. Drs. Hecker and Kato have since moved to Baylor, where they completed the analyses of this study.
Can psychedelic mushrooms turn back the clock?
A compound found in psychedelic mushrooms may have antiaging properties. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have found that psilocybin, the active...
www.bcm.edu
after their decriminalization project
I've done shroomz before. Haven't touched it in 2 years but I can't front, it was a fun experience for me. The best thing I can compare it to is like the very first time I got hgh smoking weed as a teenager. I was laughing at everything, feeling good. Of couse you have to be in a good space when taking it cuz they amplify the emotions you already have so if youhaving negative emotions and take it you might have a bad trip
They don’t have hands