Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have established a psilocybin microdosing regimen in rats to help advance microdosing research.
Results from the study have shown that repeated microdoses of psilocybin in rats increased the animals’ resilience to stress, and they displayed fewer compulsive behaviours.
The results also demonstrated that the rats tolerated repeated microdoses of psilocybin well and did not exhibit signs of anxiety, reduced pleasure (anhedonia) or altered locomotor activity.
Additionally, the authors note an increase in the number of connections to the thalamus region of the brain, suggesting that the change in connectivity to the thalamus may contribute to enhanced resilience to stress factors and could explain why so many people report positive effects on their well-being from small doses of psychedelic mushrooms.
The study has been published in Nature – Molecular Psychiatry, and was led by Associate Professor Mikael Palner and PhD student Kat Kiilerich from the Research Unit for Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark.
A method for microdosing research
The researchers established a valid method that can be utilised for further research into the effects of repeated low doses of psilocybin.
The authors write: “Here we establish and validate a psilocybin microdose-like regimen in rats with repeated low doses of psilocybin administration at a dose derived from occupancy at rat brain 5-HT2A receptors in vivo.”
Palner highlights that the increased anxiety and stress in society currently have placed a strong focus on microdosing, leading to a surge in the trade of mushrooms. Countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, the USA, and Canada have either legalised or are in the process of legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic treatment.
Palner developed an interest in researching psychedelic substances and psilocybin when he lived in Silicon Valley, California, eleven years ago and witnessed the surge of self-improvement practices that garnered significant media attention and prompted more people to experiment with microdosing.
“Some books were published that popularised the concept of using small doses of psychedelics to address both mental issues and enhance performance. This motivated me to launch the project I’ve been devoted to for the past six years,” commented Palner.
“Now, we can determine the appropriate dosage in rats, enabling us to investigate the effects of microdosing, which could significantly advance our understanding of the brain and mental challenges.
“This benefits both the field of science and society at large.”
