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Published May 8, 2023

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

Dr. Andrew Huberman delves into the profound effects of psilocybin on the brain, highlighting its potential to rewire neural pathways and offer therapeutic benefits for conditions like depression and addiction, while also addressing its risks and the critical role of 'set and setting' in therapy.
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  • Dosing

    Psilocybin dosing is a nuanced topic, with clinical studies typically using synthetic psilocybin to ensure precise dosing. explains that micro-dosing involves 1 to 3 milligrams daily, while therapeutic doses range from 10 to 30 milligrams, often administered in controlled settings 1. He highlights the variability in psilocybin content in mushrooms, which can range from 0.5% to 2%, affecting the actual intake when using natural sources 2.

    The concentration of psilocybin in different strains of mushrooms and in different batches... can vary tremendously from batch to batch.

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    This variability underscores the importance of sourcing and regulation as psilocybin becomes more widely used in therapeutic contexts.

       

    Depression

    Psilocybin shows promise in treating depression, particularly in cases resistant to traditional therapies. notes that doses of 25 to 30 milligrams have shown significant relief in clinical trials, often outperforming SSRIs and other antidepressants 3. These studies indicate that psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can produce rapid and sustained antidepressant effects 4.

    The effect sizes reported in this study were approximately 2.5 times greater than the effect sizes found in psychotherapy and more than four times greater than the effect sizes found in psychopharmacologic depression treatment studies.

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    However, higher doses also increase the risk of adverse events, highlighting the need for careful administration and monitoring 5.

       

    Efficacy

    The therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin is supported by a growing body of research, particularly for depression and addiction. emphasizes the role of the serotonin 2A receptor in mediating psilocybin's effects, which include mood improvement and relief from compulsive disorders 6. Clinical trials have shown promising results, with psilocybin receiving breakthrough status from the FDA for its potential in treating various conditions 7.

    The most evidence for positive therapeutic outcomes... is for cancer-related depression, cancer-related anxiety, and treatment-resistant depression.

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    These findings underscore the importance of continued research and careful consideration of contraindications and adverse events 8.

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