Scientists have discovered that psilocybin, a substance derived from psychedelic magic mushrooms, can slow down the cellular ageing process. In laboratory research, human skin and lung cells lived up to 50 percent longer after being treated with psilocybin. Survival rates also improved by approximately 30 percent in older mice.
Ageing of our body cells plays an important role in age-related health problems. By slowing down cellular ageing, diseases might occur later in life or become less severe. Psilocybin could therefore be a new means to age more healthily.
Important to know is that the studies so far have been conducted in laboratory conditions and on animals. It is therefore still unclear how this effect works in humans and whether it is safe to use psilocybin for this. Further studies are needed to test this properly.
Psilocybin is primarily known for its use in psychedelic therapy, but it now appears to also offer opportunities for promoting a long and healthy life. This research contributes to our understanding of potential new treatments against the effects of ageing.
These insights are of interest to anyone concerned with healthy ageing and the maintenance of quality of life in later life.
Source: Neuroscience News
