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

In this episode, I discuss what psilocybin is (chemically) and how
it works at the cellular and neural circuit level to trigger
neuroplasticity, which is our brain’s ability to rewire itself in
ways that lead to long-lasting shifts in our emotional, cognitive
and behavioral patterns and abilities. I discuss the emerging
clinical trial evidence for the use of psilocybin in the treatment
of depression, addictions and other psychiatric challenges. I
explain the typical duration and phases of a psilocybin journey,
the different categories of dosages often used and I explain the
importance of set, setting and support when using psychedelics. I
explain which groups of people place themselves at great risk by
taking psilocybin as well as groups that could benefit, and I
highlight the rapidly changing legal and medical landscape around
psilocybin. This episode is a thorough exploration of psilocybin
from the scientific and clinical literature perspective and ought
to be of interest to anyone curious about psilocybin, mental
health, neuroplasticity and/or psychedelics more generally. For the
full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT:
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https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous:
https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00)
Psilocybin, Legal Considerations (00:08:48) Sponsors: LMNT &
Waking Up (00:12:00) Psilocybin Becomes Psilocin in the Gut,
Serotonin (00:17:00) The Serotonin 2A Receptor, Therapeutic
Outcomes SSRIs vs. Psilocybin (00:21:40) Serotonin Receptor
Expression; Visual Hallucinations & Eyes Closed (00:26:02)
Sponsor: AG1 (00:27:21) Safety & Cautions for Specific Patient
Populations (00:30:28) Psilocybin, “Magic Mushrooms” Dosing,
Micro-Dosing, “Heroic Doses” (00:36:21) Psychedelic Journey: Set,
Setting & Support (00:43:43) Music & the Psilocybin
Journey; Duration of Effects (00:48:58) Psilocybin & the Brain:
Subjective Experiences, Perception (00:59:48) Brain Networks &
Therapeutic Outcomes (01:05:23) Creativity; Music, Emotionality
& Psychedelic Journeys (01:12:39) Depression & Psychedelics
as Neuroplasticity “Wedge” (01:16:53) Positive Psychedelic
Journeys, Unity, “Oceanic Boundlessness” (01:25:23) “Bad Trips”,
Anxiety & Physiological Sighs (01:32:57) Therapeutic Use of
Psilocybin (01:36:11) Neuroplasticity, Structural Brain Changes
& Psilocybin (01:48:08) Psychedelics: Therapeutic Breakthroughs
& Depression (01:56:37) Combining Psilocybin Therapy & Talk
Therapy, Antidepressant Effects (02:03:11) Psilocybin Experience
& Mental Health (2:06:42) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback,
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