Latest news with #LouiseHecker
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Magic Mushrooms could lengthen your lifespan
A new study from Emory University suggests that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may extend your lifespan. Scientists at the university's department of medicine in Atlanta discovered that psilocybin increased cellular longevity and enhanced survival rates in aged mice. The study, published last week in the journal Nature, defined Psilocybin as the "naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by hallucinogenic mushrooms.' Researchers noted growing interest in psilocybin for treating psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, but this study offers the first experimental evidence that psilocin, its active form, boosts longevity in aged mice. The study suggests psilocybin may be a powerful anti-aging agent, with data showing it reduces oxidative stress, prevents DNA damage and helps preserve telomere length, which all help slow the aging process. A study is the first to experimentally show that its active form, psilocin, extends lifespan in aged mice. (Getty Images) The older white-haired mice even appeared younger after treatment, regrowing black hair. "Psilocybin appears to slow the 'wear and tear' that accompanies aging," co-author of the study, Louise Hecker of Emory University, told Fox News Digital. "Mice and cells are healthier and live significantly longer." While the study suggests this could also work for humans, much more testing is needed. Hecker told the outlet that researchers need to answer questions such as, "What are the optimal dosing protocols for humans? What is the optimal age for treatment initiation for optimal benefits?" "Is there an age, beyond which point, when treatment does not provide efficacy?' she continued. 'Are there potential harms or adverse effects associated with long-term treatment? What are the mechanisms of its action? All these questions need to be rigorously tested." Gabe Charambides, founder of the U.S.' first legal psilocybin retreat in Oregon, called the findings 'compelling' but stressed that human use requires stricter screening, preparation and safety than in mice. He added that those who may benefit most from psilocybin therapy are people feeling 'stuck' after major life events, such as childhood trauma, divorce, job loss or bereavement, or those seeking to improve their mental health. The study suggests psilocybin may be a powerful anti-aging agent and even saw some older mice regrow darker hair (AFP via Getty Images) Charambides said his retreat guests have reported relief from physical issues such as chronic pain and migraines, though no biological testing is conducted. Ryan Moss of Filament Health, a Canadian clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company, previously stressed to Fox News Digital that the use of psychedelics should be administered in a safe, controlled setting. "Psychedelic experiences can sometimes feature anxiety, hallucinations, and paranoia," Moss said. "Some patients using traditional psychedelics have reported experiencing adverse cardiovascular events during clinical trials." He recommends that clinical trial participants be well-prepared and closely monitored by trained professionals. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Magic Mushrooms could lengthen your lifespan
A new study from Emory University suggests that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may extend your lifespan. Scientists at the university's department of medicine in Atlanta discovered that psilocybin increased cellular longevity and enhanced survival rates in aged mice. The study, published last week in the journal Nature, defined Psilocybin as the "naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by hallucinogenic mushrooms.' Researchers noted growing interest in psilocybin for treating psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, but this study offers the first experimental evidence that psilocin, its active form, boosts longevity in aged mice. The study suggests psilocybin may be a powerful anti-aging agent, with data showing it reduces oxidative stress, prevents DNA damage and helps preserve telomere length, which all help slow the aging process. The older white-haired mice even appeared younger after treatment, regrowing black hair. "Psilocybin appears to slow the 'wear and tear' that accompanies aging," co-author of the study, Louise Hecker of Emory University, told Fox News Digital. "Mice and cells are healthier and live significantly longer." While the study suggests this could also work for humans, much more testing is needed. Hecker told the outlet that researchers need to answer questions such as, "What are the optimal dosing protocols for humans? What is the optimal age for treatment initiation for optimal benefits?" "Is there an age, beyond which point, when treatment does not provide efficacy?' she continued. 'Are there potential harms or adverse effects associated with long-term treatment? What are the mechanisms of its action? All these questions need to be rigorously tested." Gabe Charambides, founder of the U.S.' first legal psilocybin retreat in Oregon, called the findings 'compelling' but stressed that human use requires stricter screening, preparation and safety than in mice. He added that those who may benefit most from psilocybin therapy are people feeling 'stuck' after major life events, such as childhood trauma, divorce, job loss or bereavement, or those seeking to improve their mental health. Charambides said his retreat guests have reported relief from physical issues such as chronic pain and migraines, though no biological testing is conducted. Ryan Moss of Filament Health, a Canadian clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company, previously stressed to Fox News Digital that the use of psychedelics should be administered in a safe, controlled setting. "Psychedelic experiences can sometimes feature anxiety, hallucinations, and paranoia," Moss said. "Some patients using traditional psychedelics have reported experiencing adverse cardiovascular events during clinical trials." He recommends that clinical trial participants be well-prepared and closely monitored by trained professionals.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The key to living longer could be tied to a surprising substance, study suggests
A new study suggests that psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, could extend lifespan. Researchers at the Emory University Department of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, discovered that psilocybin extended cellular lifespan and improved survival in aged mice. Psilocybin is the "naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by hallucinogenic mushrooms," as defined in the study. Single Dose Of 'Magic Mushrooms' Provides 5 Years Of Depression Relief, Researchers Find Psilocybin has recently received attention due to "considerable clinical evidence" for its potential in treating various psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, the researchers noted. The study, published in the journal Nature, uncovered the first experimental evidence that treatment with psilocin – the "active metabolite" in psilocybin – increases longevity in aged mice. Read On The Fox News App This suggests that psilocybin may be a "potent geroprotective agent," the researchers wrote. Co-author Louise Hecker of Emory University said the data suggests psilocybin impacts "multiple hallmarks of aging." This includes reducing oxidative stress levels and preventing DNA damage, also known as preserving "telomere length." (Telomere are DNA-protein structures on the ends of chromosomes, which help to prevent cellular damage.) Parkinson's Patients Who Take 'Magic Mushrooms' See Key Benefits, Study Finds "Psilocybin appears to slow the 'wear and tear' that accompanies aging," Hecker said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "Mice and cells are healthier and live significantly longer." The treatment led to "a dramatic impact on cellular life extensions" and increased the survival of mice, even when administered later in life, the researcher noted. The mice also appeared healthier, growing back black hair that was once white. "Most of what we know about psilocybin is clinical outcomes and what it does in the brain," Hecker commented. "These studies shed light on the fact that psilocybin has potent impacts on the entire body." As these are the first studies showing the impact of psilocybin on aging, Hecker noted that there is still "much more to learn" about the drug's potential. "What are the optimal dosing protocols for humans? What is the optimal age for treatment initiation for optimal benefits?" Hecker questioned. "Is there an age, beyond which point, when treatment does not provide efficacy? Are there potential harms or adverse effects associated with long-term treatment? What are the mechanisms of its action? All these questions need to be rigorously tested." Additional studies are needed to answer these questions and confirm whether treatment impacts lifespan, Hecker noted. Gabe Charambides, founder of Odyssey – America's first legal psilocybin retreat, located in Oregon – said he considers these findings "compelling." "While most human psilocybin trials have focused on mental health outcomes — depression, anxiety, PTSD — this work highlights physiological shifts, including markers of cellular aging," he said in an interview with Fox News Digital. While Charambides' retreat doesn't test for any biological changes, he said that many guests report relief from physical ailments like chronic pain and migraines. "Those self-reports suggest the mind–body effects the study hints at may translate to humans as well," he told Fox News Digital. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Administration of psilocybin should differ "sharply" from mice to humans in terms of screening, preparation and safeguards, Charambides noted. Individuals who benefit the most from psilocybin therapy include those who "feel stuck" after significant life events – like childhood trauma, divorce, career upheaval or bereavement – or people who aim to improve their mental health, he added. Ryan Moss, chief science officer at Filament Health, a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company in Canada, has emphasized the importance of administering psychedelics in a safe setting. For more Health articles, visit "Psychedelic experiences can sometimes feature anxiety, hallucinations and paranoia," Moss previously told Fox News Digital. "Some patients using traditional psychedelics have reported experiencing adverse cardiovascular events during clinical trials." To mitigate these risks, Moss recommended that clinical trial participants receive thorough preparation and monitoring by trained professionals during article source: The key to living longer could be tied to a surprising substance, study suggests
Fox News
4 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
The key to living longer could be tied to a surprising substance, study suggests
A new study suggests that psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, could extend lifespan. Researchers at the Emory University Department of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, discovered that psilocybin extended cellular lifespan and improved survival in aged mice. Psilocybin is the "naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by hallucinogenic mushrooms," as defined in the study. Psilocybin has recently received attention due to "considerable clinical evidence" for its potential in treating various psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, the researchers noted. The study, published in the journal Nature, uncovered the first experimental evidence that treatment with psilocin – the "active metabolite" in psilocybin – increases longevity in aged mice. This suggests that psilocybin may be a "potent geroprotective agent," the researchers wrote. Co-author Louise Hecker of Emory University said the data suggests psilocybin impacts "multiple hallmarks of aging." This includes reducing oxidative stress levels and preventing DNA damage, also known as preserving "telomere length." (Telomere are DNA-protein structures on the ends of chromosomes, which help to prevent cellular damage.) "Psilocybin appears to slow the 'wear and tear' that accompanies aging," Hecker said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "Mice and cells are healthier and live significantly longer." The treatment led to "a dramatic impact on cellular life extensions" and increased the survival of mice, even when administered later in life, the researcher noted. The mice also appeared healthier, growing back black hair that was once white. "Most of what we know about psilocybin is clinical outcomes and what it does in the brain," Hecker commented. "These studies shed light on the fact that psilocybin has potent impacts on the entire body." As these are the first studies showing the impact of psilocybin on aging, Hecker noted that there is still "much more to learn" about the drug's potential. "What are the optimal dosing protocols for humans? What is the optimal age for treatment initiation for optimal benefits?" Hecker questioned. "Psilocybin appears to slow the 'wear and tear' that accompanies aging." "Is there an age, beyond which point, when treatment does not provide efficacy? Are there potential harms or adverse effects associated with long-term treatment? What are the mechanisms of its action? All these questions need to be rigorously tested." Additional studies are needed to answer these questions and confirm whether treatment impacts lifespan, Hecker noted. Gabe Charambides, founder of Odyssey – America's first legal psilocybin retreat, located in Oregon – said he considers these findings "compelling." "While most human psilocybin trials have focused on mental health outcomes — depression, anxiety, PTSD — this work highlights physiological shifts, including markers of cellular aging," he said in an interview with Fox News Digital. While Charambides' retreat doesn't test for any biological changes, he said that many guests report relief from physical ailments like chronic pain and migraines. "Those self-reports suggest the mind–body effects the study hints at may translate to humans as well," he told Fox News Digital. Administration of psilocybin should differ "sharply" from mice to humans in terms of screening, preparation and safeguards, Charambides noted. Individuals who benefit the most from psilocybin therapy include those who "feel stuck" after significant life events – like childhood trauma, divorce, career upheaval or bereavement – or people who aim to improve their mental health, he added. Ryan Moss, chief science officer at Filament Health, a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company in Canada, has emphasized the importance of administering psychedelics in a safe setting. For more Health articles, visit "Psychedelic experiences can sometimes feature anxiety, hallucinations and paranoia," Moss previously told Fox News Digital. "Some patients using traditional psychedelics have reported experiencing adverse cardiovascular events during clinical trials." To mitigate these risks, Moss recommended that clinical trial participants receive thorough preparation and monitoring by trained professionals during sessions.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Magic mushrooms live up to their name by appearing to slow ageing
Psychedelic mushrooms are sometimes called 'magic' for their hallucinogenic effects which some proponents believe make them think more clearly and see things they would never ordinarily perceive. But going by findings published in Nature Partnering Journal Aging, the easily-harvested and widely-available wild fungi could be called magic for another reason: they appear to have anti-ageing properties. According to Baylor College of Medicine and Emory University in the US, the active psychedelic compound in the mushroom, known as psilocybin, "may extend both cellular and organismal lifespans." The team said that psilocybin "reduced multiple hallmarks of ageing in cells" and, depending on the dosages, "extended cellular lifespan up to 57%." The researchers also carried out tests on mice that showed psilocybin improving survival in older rodents. The mushrooms, and psilocybin in particular, have been shown to help depression patients and, but the physical effects outside the brain have gone uncharted. According to the research team, there are around 150 studies ongoing or recently completed looking at psilocybin's potential to treat not only depression but also cognitive disorders such as dementia. Last month, the American Cancer Society published findings of a second phase of tests that showed a "significant" reduction in depression among more than half of participants two years on from receiving a 25-milligram dose of psilocybin. "Our findings suggest that psilocybin has potent effects on the entire body, including anti-ageing properties, which also may contribute to the plethora of observed beneficial clinical outcomes," said Louise Hecker, associate professor of medicine – cardiovascular research at Baylor. "Our study provides the first experimental evidence demonstrating that psilocybin impacts hallmarks of ageing," the team said.
