Magic mushroom compound extends cell life span by 50%.

Psilocybin’s surprising anti-aging effects; While psilocybin has gained attention for treating depression and other mental health conditions, new laboratory research suggests this psychedelic compound might have an entirely different benefit: slowing down aging. Scientists found that psilocybin increased the life span of human skin and lung cells by more than 50% in lab studies.

“Psilocybin appears to reduce the ‘wear and tear’ that accompanies aging”, explained Dr. Louise Hecker from Baylor College of Medicine, the study’s senior author. “Although psilocybin is well-known for its psychedelic effects, our study suggests that psilocybin has potent impacts on the entire body”.

The researchers found that psilocybin reduces harmful oxidative stress, improves DNA repair, and maintains the length of telomeres, the protective caps on chromosomes that we’ve covered before as key markers of cellular aging. By preserving these, psilocybin may help protect against age-related diseases like heart disease and cancer.

However, experts urge caution about jumping to conclusions. “It’s too early right now to say anti -aging which is an incredible umbrella”, noted Dr. Jack Jacoub, medical oncologist at Memorial Care Cancer Institute.

Psilocybin is a chemical that is found in a wide variety of mushrooms known for their euphoric and hallucinogenic effects. Over the past few years, there have been a number of studies investigating the use of psilocybin for the treatment of mental health disorders and medical conditions. A new study says psilocybin may help delay aging by increasing the cellular life span of human skin and lung cells by more than 50%. Scientists also reported evidence psilocybin may help protect the body from age-related diseases through several health-protecting qualities. Psilocybin is a chemical that is found in a wide variety of mushrooms. Also known as “shrooms” and “magic mushrooms,” psilocybin is known for its euphoric and hallucinogenic effects.

Over the past few years, there have been a number of studies investigating the use of psilocybin for the treatment of mental health disorders such as treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Trusted Source, and substance use disorders, as well as medical conditions like migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Parkinson’s disease.

The overwhelming majority of the claim about psilocybin is from clinical outcomes (with >150 clinical trials ongoing or completed) and impacts on the brain. Psilocybin is well known for its hallucinogenic properties. However, we know very little about what it does otherwise, particularly its impact systemically on the rest of the body.”

Telomeres – are structures made from DNA sequences and proteins found at the ends of chromosomes. They cap and protect the end of a chromosome like the end of a shoelace.

In almost all animals, from the simplest to the most complex, telomeres are required for cell division. With each cell replication, the telomeres get shorter and shorter until they’re so short that your cells can no longer divide. When cells no longer divide, tissues age. However, telomeres can be rebuilt by an enzyme called telomerase to restore cell division. If a cell keeps dividing uncontrollably and overcomes the limitations of telomeres, a ‘cancerous tumour’ can form. This is why telomeres are so important. In healthy cells, they achieve the necessary balance between limiting cellular lifespan and your own longevity and keeping cancer growth at bay.

Shorter telomeres have been associated with increased disease incidence and decreased survival times. Senescent cells no longer divide, but remain active and have been implicated in many diseases of aging, such as osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, and cancer.

Longer telomeres should mean that cells can divide more often before entering senescence or dying, therefore increasing longevity.

Team Maverick