In this episode, host Buck Joffrey speaks with Dr. Louise Hecker about her team’s groundbreaking research into psilocybin and its potential impact on aging biology. Known mainly as a psychedelic, psilocybin’s active metabolite (psilocin) is now being studied for its possible role in extending cellular lifespan and improving survival in aging organisms.

Key Points:

Psilocybin’s active compound shows remarkable potential to extend cellular and organismal lifespan. While early findings are promising, rigorous testing is needed before translation to humans. Psilocybin may not only reshape mental health treatment but could also hold promise as a tool to slow aging at the cellular level.

• From Psychedelic to Longevity Candidate: Psilocybin, best known for its hallucinogenic effects, is being explored as a geroprotective drug with potential to slow cellular aging.
• Cellular Findings: In lab studies, psilocin extended the lifespan of human fibroblasts by up to 50%, reducing oxidative stress and boosting protective markers like SIRT1 and antioxidant responses.
• Mouse Experiments: Older mice given monthly doses of psilocybin showed significantly better survival rates. Treated mice not only lived longer but also looked healthier—regrowing fur and reversing visible signs of aging.
• Challenges and Next Steps: Research faces regulatory hurdles due to psilocybin’s Schedule I status, and large-scale funding is scarce. Dr. Hecker stresses the need to define safe, effective dosing protocols and to assess long-term risks, including cancer potential.
• The Bigger Picture: Instead of targeting individual age-related diseases, slowing the overall aging process with interventions like psilocybin could improve resilience to multiple conditions, from infections like COVID-19 to chronic illnesses.