Month: August 2025

A groundbreaking study in Nature’s npj Aging Journal (July 2025), just made waves by showing that psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in “magic mushrooms,” might extend our lifespan, as shown in its mice subjects. The findings are bold enough to have some calling psilocybin a potential “geroprotective agent”—a compound that could slow aging at the cellular level.

Mushrooms are gaining traction everywhere.

But before you swap your salmon and spinach for psychedelic microdoses, here are four things that research on the benefits of psilocybin reveals—and why, for now, your best anti-aging prescription may still be on your plate.

1. Psilocybin’s Big Anti-Aging Breakthrough

The July 2025 study marks the first time psilocybin’s anti-aging effects were tested at both the cellular and organism level.

The Results That Stunned Researchers:

• In human cells: Fibroblasts, cells that connect other tissues or organs in the body, treated with psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) lived up to 57% longer. Furthermore, markers of cellular aging dropped significantly, including the preservation of telomeres—the DNA “shoelace caps” that protect chromosomes.
• In aged mice (~60 human years): Monthly 5-15mg/kg doses of psilocybin boosted 10‑month survival rates to 80% compared to 50% in untreated controls. The mice lived 30% longer, had less oxidative stress, improved DNA repair, and experienced longer telomeres (protection of chromosomes from deterioration). Even physical signs of aging—graying fur, hair loss, slowed mobility—improved.

These results can be explained by psilocybin’s several mechanisms of action.

In particular, this compound appears to activate serotonin receptors found on nearly all cell types—not just in the brain. It may also switch on SIRT1, often referred to as the “longevity gene,” reduce oxidative stress by boosting the antioxidant pathway Nrf2 while dialing down Nox4, a major source of damaging free radicals, and support DNA repair by reducing GADD45a expression.

Expert Take

As the below researchers can attest, the excitement surrounding psilocybin’s effect on longevity is palpable. However, human trials are still years away. Additionally, these effects were observed at high, intermittent doses, not at microdosing levels.

But its potential for long-term human health cannot be underestimated:

2. Microdosing: More Mirage than Miracle

Psilocybin microdosing is the practice of taking trace amounts of the chemical compound, as opposed to larger doses taken for the anti-aging study.

Microdosing, a trend that really took hold during the lock-down days of Covid, is one of Silicon Valley’s favorite “biohacks” for creativity and focus. However, the evidence for mental clarity remains underwhelming.

What the Studies Show

• A 2022 double-blind trial at Maastricht University found no measurable cognitive or creativity gains despite participants reporting improved mood and focus.
• A 2024 systematic review concluded that most reported benefits are expectation-driven, not biological.

Expert Take

“It may only work in some people and not in other people, so it makes it hard for us to measure it under laboratory conditions” states Dr. Harriet de Wit of University of Chicago.

3. Functional Mushrooms: Helpful, but Not Revolutionary

Non-psychedelic mushrooms like lion’s mane get plenty of attention for brain health. A 2023 placebo-controlled study showed that 1.8 grams per day improved cognitive response time and reduced stress after four weeks.

But experts caution these effects are modest and unlikely to dramatically alter aging or brain health. Think of lion’s mane as a “supporting actor,” not the star.

4. Food: The Evergreen Anti-Aging MVP

While psilocybin research is exciting, decades of nutrition science still make diet your most proven mental and metabolic upgrade.

The MIND Diet Advantage

A cohort of nearly 93,000 adults found that:

• Strict adherence to the MIND diet (Mediterranean + DASH) lowered dementia risk by 9%.
• Improving adherence over time dropped risk by up to 25%.

Unlike isolated supplements, whole foods deliver nutrients in combinations your body evolved to use.

To paraphrase the findings of Dr. Russell Sawyer in the REGARDS cognitive study:

Your salad is still beating psilocybin by decades. The most powerful anti-aging tools are still on your plate. 

The Science of Food-Driven Cognitive Support

Psilocybin’s early research is thrilling, but decades of nutrition science already show that certain whole foods can influence many of the same biological pathways linked to brain health, mental clarity, and even slower cognitive aging.

Here’s the science behind key foods—and why they work:

Fatty Fish (Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines)

Key Compounds: EPA and DHA omega‑3 fatty acids

• How They Work:
  • DHA is a structural fat that makes up ~40% of the brain’s gray matter. It helps keep neuronal membranes flexible, improving synaptic signaling and neurotransmission.
  • EPA lowers neuroinflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines that impair cognition when chronically elevated.
  • Both improve BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a protein crucial for neuroplasticity and learning.

Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard)

Key Compounds: Folate, vitamin K1, lutein, and nitrates

• How They Work:
  • Folate and B vitamins reduce homocysteine, an amino acid linked to neurodegeneration when elevated.
  • Vitamin K1 supports sphingolipid synthesis, a key component of neuronal membranes.
  • Lutein accumulates in brain tissue, where it acts as an antioxidant, protecting neurons from oxidative stress.
  • Dietary nitrates enhance cerebral blood flow by boosting nitric oxide production, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain tissue. In the Rush University MIND diet study, 1–2 servings of greens per day made participants cognitively 11 years “younger” than those who rarely ate them.

Berries (Blueberries, Blackberries, Strawberries)

Key Compounds: Anthocyanins and other polyphenols

• How They Work:
  • Polyphenols activate the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway (the same one psilocybin influenced in the aging study), reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
  • They modulate gut microbiota, increasing short-chain fatty acids that cross the blood-brain barrier and regulate neuroinflammation.
  • Some anthocyanins can cross into brain tissue directly, improving neuronal signaling and memory formation in the hippocampus. Clinical trials show 12 weeks of daily blueberry supplementation improves delayed recall and executive function in older adults.

Nuts & Seeds (Walnuts, Flaxseed, Pumpkin Seeds)

Key Compounds: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), magnesium, and polyphenols

• How They Work:
  • ALA (a plant omega‑3) converts in small amounts to EPA/DHA, providing mild anti-inflammatory benefits.
  • Magnesium regulates NMDA receptor activity, crucial for synaptic plasticity and learning.
  • Walnuts, in particular, contain polyphenols that suppress oxidative stress in brain tissue. High nut consumption (5+ servings/week) in the PREDIMED trial correlated with better memory and slower cognitive decline.

Fermented & Fiber-rich Foods (Kefir, Yogurt, Lentils, Whole Grains)

Key Compounds: Prebiotic fibers and probiotic bacteria

• How They Work:
  • Fibers feed beneficial gut bacteria, increasing production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which have anti-inflammatory effects in the brain. Clinical studies link higher SCFA levels with better cognitive flexibility and lower risk of age-related cognitive impairment.
  • Gut microbes influence serotonin synthesis—90% of serotonin is produced in the gut—and modulate the gut-brain axis.

Dark Chocolate & Green Tea

Key Compounds: Flavanols and L-theanine

• How They Work:
  • Flavanols enhance cerebral blood flow and support BDNF expression.
  • L-theanine modulates alpha brain waves, promoting a calm yet alert mental state—similar to meditation. [HP2]

Why This Matters

Many of these mechanisms—lowering oxidative stress, supporting BDNF, preserving membrane integrity, and even activating Nrf2—mirror the pathways psilocybin is now being investigated for. But unlike psilocybin, which is still experimental, these foods have decades of human data supporting their safety and effectiveness.

Until we have a better picture of psilocybin’s benefits, here are some things you can do now and what to watch for as the research progresses:

Do Now	Watch for Later
Eat a plant-diverse, whole-food MIND-style diet	Follow human clinical trials on psilocybin geroprotection
Include oily fish, nuts, colorful fruits & vegetables	Look for studies testing safe dosing & timing protocols
Manage sleep, stress & exercise—diet works best with lifestyle habits	Avoid microdosing as an “anti-aging” strategy

As Dr. Hecker herself stressed, “Translating these results to human therapies will take years of careful research. For now, lifestyle still matters more than any single compound.”