Psilocybin works by transforming into psilocin in our digestive system. It then affects the brain in various significant ways. This compound primarily acts on serotonin 2A receptors, which are vital for integrating information across the brain. It also boosts neuroplasticity, facilitating the growth of dendrites, spines, and synapses. It mimics serotonin, affecting the prefrontal cortex’s 5-HT2A receptor, leading to the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). BDNF enhances brain activity, connectivity, and growth. This process also increases Glutamate transmission, which is essential for cognition, learning, and memory.
Psilocybin’s impact extends to altering brain function, including heightened activity in the visual cortex, altered perceptions, and a decrease in the Default Mode Network’s (DMN) activity, which is linked to a reduced sense of self. It enhances connectivity between various brain regions, promoting cross-talk and allowing for the formation of new connections. This is particularly significant because DMN is associated with mental processes related to depression and anxiety and blocks creative insights. By modifying DMN activity, psilocybin opens up new thought processes, showing potential in treating conditions like depression and addiction.
Theories explaining psilocybin’s effects include the following:
Through these mechanisms, psilocybin facilitates therapeutic benefits by allowing the brain to form novel connections and pathways, offering new perspectives and insights.