History & Studies with psilocybin
1949–1973 – Meta-Analysis of Psychedelic Studies
Systematic review of 21 early studies on LSD and psilocybin for mood disorders; reported a 79% improvement rate, despite lacking modern trial rigor.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34053342/
Early 1960s – Harvard Psilocybin Project
Leary and Alpert conducted pioneering experiments exploring psilocybin’s effects on consciousness, setting the stage for modern psychedelic research.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Psilocybin_Project
1961–1963 – Concord Prison Experiment
Harvard researchers administered psilocybin to inmates to reduce recidivism, though methodological issues and contested outcomes temper the findings.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concord_Prison_Experiment
1962 – Marsh Chapel Experiment
Double-blind trial with divinity students; psilocybin induced profound mystical experiences in most participants, supporting its capacity to facilitate spiritual states.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_Chapel_Experiment
2006 – Johns Hopkins Mystical Experience Study
First rigorously controlled modern trial showing that a supervised high-dose of psilocybin produced deeply meaningful mystical experiences with lasting positive effects
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16826400/
2012 – fMRI Brain Scans
Groundbreaking brain scans from Imperial College London famously illustrated how psilocybin decreases activity in the brain’s default mode network.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1119598109
2014 – fMRI Brain Scans 2012 – fMRI Brain Scans
Brain scan study showing that the brain on psilocybin reorganizes itself in an unusual way.
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsif.2014.0873#d1e1402
2014 – Psilocybin for Smoking Cessation
Study showing psilocybin plus CBT led to reduced smoking and higher quit rates.
https://www.science.org/content/article/magic-mushrooms-help-people-quit-smoking
2016 – Psilocybin for Cancer-Related Depression/Anxiety
Randomized double-blind trial in cancer patients; a single dose of psilocybin (around 0.3 mg/kg) yielded substantial, lasting reductions in depression and anxiety.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5367557/
2018 – Psilocybin promotes neurogenesis
Study using fluorescence microscopy and electrophysiology to show psilocybin promotes neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29898390
2019 – Meditation and Psilocybin
Meditation seems to enhance psilocybin’s positive effects, and vice-versa.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-50612-3
2020 – Psilocybin quiets the DMN
Analysis of brain activity in people on psilocybin.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32454209
2023 – Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Clinical trial reporting that 25 mg psilocybin with psychological support was beneficial for major depressive disorder.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2808950#google_vignette
2023 – Psilocybin Reduces Inflammation
Double-blind placebo-controlled study showed reduction in inflammation extended to 7 days, supporting improved mood.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37689275
2024 — Psilocybin and Meditation
Comparing brain scans of people microdosing and meditating shows symbiotic benefits.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10966054
2024 – Psilocybin and the DMN
Article describing how psilocybin works in the brain, affecting the Default Mode Network.
https://michelekohmorollo.medium.com/how-psilocybin-affects-the-default-mode-network
2024 – Psilocybin as Novel Treatment for Chronic Pain
Investigates the potential of psilocybin as an anti-inflammatory agent for chronic pain.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39614355/
2024 – Disruption of Functional Connectivity by Psilocybin
fMRI study showing that psilocybin disrupts the default mode network for weeks, a potential mechanism underlying therapeutic effects.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07624-5
2024 – Neural Reactivity to Alcohol & Emotional Cues
Pilot study indicating that psilocybin alters brain responses to alcohol and emotional stimuli—implications for addiction treatment.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38326432
2025 – Psilocybin & Neuroplasticity Reviews
Summarizes preclinical and clinical evidence that psilocybin promotes neural structural and functional plasticity.
https://open-foundation.org/psilocybin-and-neuroplasticity
2025 – Psilocybin & Parkinson’s Disease
Summary of early pilot data suggesting mood, cognitive, and motor improvements in Parkinson’s patients linked to reduced neuroinflammation and increased plasticity.
https://psych.ucsf.edu/news/how-magic-mushrooms-could-help-parkinsons-disease-patients
2025 – Psilocybin Extends Lifespan in Aged Mice
Article discussing recent findings about psilocybin and longevity in mice study. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/slowing-aging-psilocybin-helps-extend-life-span-human-cells-skin
2025 — Psilocybin quiets the DSM
Study of brain scans show psilocybin activates specific receptors to suppress cortical signaling through the claustrum.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/408301
2025 – Top 10 psilocybin studies of 2025
https://themarijuanaherald.com/2025/05/the-top-psilocybin-studies-of-2025
Links to Articles about microdosing
2011 – The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys
Book by James Fadiman about working with magic mushrooms, with a chapter on microdosing that ignited the movement.
https://www.psychedelicexplorersguide.com
2019 – Exploring the Efficacy of Microdosing
James Fadiman’s foundational study compiling self-reported data from thousands of microdosers from around the world.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02791072.2019.1593561
2019 – A systematic study of microdosing psychedelics
Study tracking the experiences of 98 microdosing participants, incorporating pre-existing beliefs and expectations about the effects of microdosing.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30726251
2019 – Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges
A codebook of microdosing benefits and challenges (MDBC) based on the qualitative reports of a real-world sample of 278 microdosers.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31288862
2021 – Microdosing with self-blinding citizens
In the largest placebo-controlled study of its time, results point to placebo effect.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33648632
2022 – Psychedelic microdosing, mood and mental health
Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non-microdosing controls.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-14512-3?fromPaywallRec=false
2022 – Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges
Study using the The Global Drug Survey to survey 6753 people who reported microdosing at least once in the last 12 months.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33591231
2022 — Microdoses can improve mental health
Self-reporting study of 953 psilocybin microdosers show improved mood and mental health.
https://neurosciencenews.com/mood-mental-health-microdose-21010/
2022 – Microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms: a double-blind placebo-controlled study
Double-blind placebo-controlled experimental design, we investigated the acute and short-term effects of 0.5 g of dried mushrooms on subjective experience, behavior, creativity, perception, cognition, and brain activity.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-022-02039-0
2022 – The emerging science of microdosing
A systematic review of research on low dose psychedelics (1955–2021) and recommendations for the field.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763422001956
2024 – Microdosing for Young Adults with Anxiety
peer-reviewed studies published in English from 2014 to 2024, encompassing human participants aged 18–35 years.
https://premierscience.com/pjs-2
2024 – Effects of Microdosing with Psilocybin
Review covering mechanisms, risks, and benefits of psilocybin microdosing.
https://touroscholar.touro.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1335&context=sjlcas
2025 – Experimental Neurology: Microdosing Reduces Neuroinflammation
Research indicating that sub-perceptual psilocybin doses can reduce neuroinflammation and support mental health outcomes.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11787777/#cit0106
2025 – Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance
The first comprehensive book on microdosing, using new research and extensive reports from individuals to describe the possibilities of the practice.
https://www.microdosingbook.com
