A natural compound found in psychedelic mushrooms might help people live longer and age more slowly, according to new research from Emory University.
Scientists have discovered that psilocin, which forms in the body after taking psilocybin (the main active ingredient in these mushrooms), can slow down aging in both human cells and mice.
The study, published in the journal Aging, showed that human skin and lung cells treated with psilocin lived more than 50% longer than untreated cells. This means the cells continued to grow and function instead of dying off as quickly as usual.
The researchers believe this happened because psilocin helped protect the cells from damage, reduced stress, and repaired their DNA more effectively.
It also helped maintain the length of telomeres—structures at the ends of chromosomes that protect our genetic material. Shorter telomeres are linked to aging and diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.
In a related experiment, scientists gave older mice a low dose of psilocybin followed by a higher monthly dose over 10 months. These mice were the equivalent of about 60-65 years old in human age.
Compared to mice that didn’t get the treatment, the psilocybin mice lived 30% longer and looked healthier. Their fur was smoother, had fewer white hairs, and even showed signs of regrowth.
While psilocybin is mainly known for its effects on the brain and mood, this study shows that it might also work throughout the body. The compound connects to serotonin receptors, which are found not just in the brain but in many other parts of the body too. The researchers believe this could be the key to its wide-ranging effects.
Dr. Louise Hecker, one of the lead scientists, said this study opens up exciting new possibilities for how psilocybin could support healthy aging, especially when used later in life. She explained that the treatment doesn’t just extend life — it also improves the quality of life, which is important for people growing older.
Dr. Ali John Zarrabi, another researcher involved in the study, said the mice weren’t just living longer — they were aging better. He stressed the importance of treatments that don’t just add years to life, but make those years healthier and more enjoyable.
As a palliative care doctor, Zarrabi is concerned about treatments that keep people alive but leave them feeling unwell or unable to enjoy life.
This research comes at a time when people in the U.S. are living shorter lives compared to other countries. In 2022, the average American lived to about 78.4 years, while people in similar countries lived to around 82.5 years.
As anti-aging supplements and treatments become more popular, this study offers strong early evidence that psilocybin might be one of the most promising new options.
The team hopes that more studies, including those involving older adults, will help confirm their results. Emory University is already taking part in major trials using psilocybin to treat depression, and researchers now think its benefits could go far beyond mental health.
If approved by the FDA in 2027 for depression, psilocybin might also help people live longer, healthier lives.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about how ultra-processed foods and red meat influence your longevity, and why seafood may boost healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
The study is published in npj Aging.
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