In a nutshell
One dose of a psychedelic compound (25CN-NBOH) significantly improved cognitive flexibility in mice, even 2 to 3 weeks after the drug was administered.
Treated mice adapted better to new learning rules in a reversal task, showing stronger performance across multiple behavioral measures compared to controls.
These long-lasting effects suggest psychedelics may promote meaningful, enduring changes in brain plasticity, offering potential new approaches for treating conditions like depression, PTSD, and Alzheimer’s disease.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A single dose of a psychedelic compound could be key to helping your brain become more adaptable for weeks. University of Michigan researchers have discovered that mice given just one dose of a serotonin-activating psychedelic showed remarkable improvements in mental flexibility two to three weeks later, potentially revolutionizing how we might someday treat conditions like depression, PTSD, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
The research, published in the journal Psychedelics, reveals that mice given just one dose of a specific psychedelic compound called 25CN-NBOH were much better at adjusting to new rules in learning tests compared to those that didn’t when tested 2-3 weeks later.
For anyone who’s ever struggled to break a habit or adapt to new circumstances, this finding could point toward future treatments for conditions marked by cognitive rigidity, like depression, PTSD, and potentially even Alzheimer’s disease.