How Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Its Therapeutic Benefits & Its Risks

About this video

Huberman explains psilocybin, a psychedelic being studied for depression, alcohol abuse disorder, other addictions, OCD, and eating disorders. He clarifies that psilocybin is converted in the body to psilocin, the compound that actually enters the brain, and that its main effect is to mimic serotonin by strongly activating a subset of serotonin receptors, leading to neuroplasticity in circuits serving memory and perception. He discusses dosages and translating mushroom amounts to psilocybin, the conditions inside a journey that make it positive and therapeutic, and why many positive changes take place after the session during the window for neuroplasticity. In the excerpted segment, Huberman reviews four prominent, non-competing theories of brain networks activated during a psychedelic journey, including the default mode network, concluding that psilocybin expands functional connectivity between brain areas, with some expanded connectivity persisting after effects wear off.

Key takeaways

• Huberman explains psilocybin is converted to psilocin, which actually exerts effects in the brain.
• Huberman describes psilocybin as mimicking serotonin at a subset of receptors to drive neuroplasticity.
• Huberman argues many positive changes occur after the session, not only during it.
• Huberman says psilocybin expands functional connectivity, with some expansion persisting afterward.
• Huberman discusses conditions that make a psilocybin journey positive and therapeutic, and its risks.

Episode details: published May 8, 2023 · 3M views · 2:09:02 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The science and protocols described are Andrew Huberman’s, presented for education — not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your own health practices.

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