Another good day for Big Mushroom. Researchers dosed aged mice with psilocybin and not only did they live longer, but they likely had a lot of fun doing so. In cell studies, psilocybin extended cellular lifespan by up to 57%. Amongst “other” effects, the compound preserved telomere length which is the bit of chromosomes that tends to fray as you age. |
When 19-month-old mice (roughly equivalent to retirement-age humans) received monthly psilocybin doses, 80% were still kicking compared to just 50% of their sober counterparts. The treated mice even showed better fur quality and less greying, all meaning it may soon get significantly harder to keep classifying this as a purely recreational drug. |
🧐 What's in it for me? Human trials are still years away, but the FDA has already blessed psilocybin as a "breakthrough therapy" for depression, so at least we know it won't kill you, which, ironically, is more than can be said for many other anti-ageing fads.
💵 Out of the Lab: As wealth continues to concentrate, and the hands into which its concentrated continue to age, this is the kind of research that is likely to attract a number of benefactors.
One of the researchers, Kosuke Kato has already launched PsiloHeal LLC, possibly to commercialise these findings.
Compass Pathways (NASDAQ: CMPS) has spent years navigating regulators, for better and worse, and has earned their position in the market.
Cybin and ATAI Life Sciences have also planted flags in psychedelic medicine, though they've focused more on neurology.
Until next time, stay curious.
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