08/15/2025
Scientists just found that psilocybin slows cellular aging, increasing longevity!
A surprising new study suggests that psilocybin—the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms—might do more than expand your mind. Researchers at Emory and Baylor medical schools have found early evidence that it could help extend lifespan. In experiments on older mice, medium doses of psilocybin were associated with slower telomere shortening—a cellular marker of aging—and even improvements in the animals' fur quality. The team also tested human cells and observed similar effects, with telomeres in psilocybin-treated cells staying longer compared to untreated ones. Telomeres act as protective caps on DNA, and their gradual shortening is linked to aging and age-related diseases.
While past research on psychedelics has largely focused on mental health, this study, published in NPJ Aging, points to broader, body-wide benefits. The findings raise the possibility that even late-in-life interventions with psychedelics could help delay aging processes. Though researchers caution that much more testing is needed, especially to determine optimal doses, the discovery could reshape how scientists view the medical potential of psychedelics. “Psilocybin may represent a disruptive agent that promotes healthy aging,” said lead researcher Louise Hecker, adding that this opens a new frontier in psychedelic science with implications far beyond the brain.
