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Does neuroplasticity benefit healthy people too?

Understanding Neuroplasticity Induced by TrYptamines (UNITY)

Psychedelics clearly have a huge impact on people with mental health issues, but how do they impact people who are already mentally healthy? A new research project at University College London will give us more insights!

After two years of planning, the university is launching the “Understanding Neuroplasticity Induced by Tryptamines” or UNITy Project.

UNITy Project aims to understand how tryptamines (psychedelics that bind to serotonin receptors, such as psilocybin) impact the naturally functioning brain. Researchers will use fMRI scans, eye-tracking, and experience sampling to understand the neurobiological factors that influence cognition and mental health.

The first study will evaluate how DMT affects language processing, sensory processing, and memory, and if neuroplasticity drives the results.

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How to prevent depression legally

Mushroom Consumption May Lower Risk of Depression

Even non-psychedelic mushrooms could lower your risk of depression!

Researchers from the Penn State College of Medicine collected data from 24,000 Americans and discovered that those who ate mushrooms had a lower chance of being depressed.

Mushrooms are the highest dietary source of ergothioneine, an antioxidant that may prevent mental illnesses by reducing oxidative stress protecting against cell damage. 

While the study didn’t factor in different types of mushrooms, white buttons are believed to ease anxiety and Lion’s Mane can promote neurogenesis which may prevent mental disorders.

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4x more effective than psilocybin?

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Confirms DMT Increased Growth of Neurons by 40% in Preclinical Study at Sub Hallucinogenic Dose

A recent study revealed that psilocybin can increase neuronal connections by 10%, but a different psychedelic may be even more effective.

A Vancouver company called Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AGN) discovered that its propriety compound based on DMT increased the growth of cortical neurons by 40% –  even at sub-hallucinogenic doses!

In the study, the cortical neurons of rats were treated with varying concentrations of DMT for just one hour and were examined 3 days later.

From now til the end of October, the company will experiment with increasing this duration to up to 72 hours.