Psilocybin: Unlocking the Cellular Fountain of Youth?

A landmark study published in npj Aging in July 2025 reveals fascinating anti-aging effects of psilocybin — the psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms.” The research suggests it may not only reshape our minds but also slow aging at the cellular level.

What the study found

In lab experiments, psilocin (the active form of psilocybin) extended the lifespan of human lung and skin fibroblasts by up to 57%, delaying cellular senescence and preserving telomere length. Markers of aging such as β-galactosidase, p16, and p21 were reduced, while DNA repair pathways — including GADD45a — appeared more active.

In aged female mice (around 19 months old, comparable to a human in their mid-60s), monthly psilocybin treatment led to an 80% survival rate, compared to 50% in untreated controls. The treated mice also showed darker, fuller fur and even regrowth of lost hair.

Researchers propose the benefits may come from a combination of reduced oxidative stress, increased activity of SIRT1 (a protein closely tied to longevity), and protection of chromosome ends.

Why it matters

Until now, psilocybin research has mainly focused on mental-health applications such as treating depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This is the first evidence of systemic geroprotective effects in both cells and animals. Experts like Scott Thompson of the University of Colorado have called the results a “provocative mechanism” worth further study.

If these findings translate to humans, psilocybin could join the small group of compounds — such as rapamycin and metformin — that appear to act on multiple aging pathways. The fact that benefits were observed even when treatment began later in life could make it especially relevant for age-related decline.

Proceed with caution

The study is early-stage, and differences in metabolism, legal restrictions, and dosing challenges mean we’re still far from a clinical application. Psilocybin remains a controlled substance in many countries, and more human research is needed before any safe, regulated anti-aging use is possible.

Still, these results expand the conversation about psychedelics, showing that their impact may reach far beyond the brain — perhaps all the way to the level of our cells.