Research findings indicate that the hallucinogenic component in mushrooms aids in anti-aging. A research team led by Professor Kosuke Kato from Emory University noted on the 23rd that, "The lifespan of rats was extended after administering the hallucinogenic component psilocybin."
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic component found in so-called "magic mushrooms." Psilocybin converts into psilocin in the body and interacts with serotonin, a hormone that regulates emotions, to induce hallucinations. It is then broken down in the liver and excreted in urine.
The research team administered psilocybin to rats equivalent to humans aged 60 to 65 years. Initially, a low dose of 5 mg was administered, followed by a high dose of 15 mg once a month for 10 months. The rats experienced seizures in their heads, which the research team explained signified a proper experience of hallucinations. Psilocybin was used under the approval of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Rats administered psilocybin survived longer and healthier than ordinary rats. They exhibited a 30% increase in lifespan, improved fur quality, and reduced white fur. Some even grew new fur. The research team stated, "Psilocybin enhances human skin and extends the lifespan of lung cells."
The research team suggested that psilocybin plays a role in appropriately maintaining telomere length. Telomeres protect cells at the ends of chromosomes. When telomeres shorten, it can create problems in cell division and lead to aging.
Psilocybin has been studied as a treatment for depression. This time, it has shown to have effects on anti-aging as well, drawing attention. According to the Korea Institute of Science & Technology Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), the global anti-aging drug market is projected to reach $2.47 billion (3.4 trillion won) by 2031.
However, there is still a long way to go before psilocybin can be commercialized. In the U.S., psilocybin use is legal only in some states. It is illegal in Korea. The results of this research were published on the 8th in the international journal "npj Aging" by the Nature Publishing Group.
References
npg aging (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41514-025-00244-x