A new study suggests it might, especially for people with Parkinson’s.
What if a mushroom could help reverse brain degeneration?
That’s the question behind a groundbreaking new study from UC San Francisco. Researchers gave psilocybin (the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms) to patients with Parkinson’s disease, not to treat tremors, but to address a less visible issue: their mood.
What happened next surprised everyone, even the scientists.
Psilocybin improved mood, movement, and cognition
In this small pilot study, participants with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s received two doses of psilocybin (10mg, then 25mg), alongside psychotherapy sessions.
The results?
✅ Clinically significant improvements in mood
✅ Enhanced cognitive function
✅ Better motor performance
✅ Effects that lasted for weeks, even months, after the dose
All without serious side effects or worsening symptoms.
This is the first time a psychedelic has been tested on patients with a neurodegenerative disease. And it may mark the beginning of something much bigger.
How does psilocybin support brain repair?
Researchers believe psilocybin could be doing more than lifting mood. It may be enhancing neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to rewire and regenerate) and even neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells(.
Here’s how it works:
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Psilocybin activates serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, especially in the prefrontal cortex, triggering a cascade of brain activity.
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This activation increases levels of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)—a key protein for learning, memory, and synaptic growth.
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BDNF promotes neuroplasticity (rewiring existing neurons) and neurogenesis (growing new ones), especially in areas affected by aging, stress, or disease.
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Psilocybin may also reduce inflammation and reconnect functional brain networks, improving overall cognitive flexibility and emotional processing.
Read more: Psilocybin Spurs Growth of Neural Connections Lost in Depression
The mitochondrial and metabolic connection
There’s another way to look at these results: through the lens of energy metabolism.
Parkinson’s is increasingly viewed as a mitochondrial disorder - in other words, a disease of energy failure.
Damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria (your cells' power plants) lead to oxidative stress, impaired movement, and reduced cellular resilience.
Psilocybin, interestingly, may support mitochondrial health by:
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Reducing neuroinflammation, which protects mitochondrial function
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Enhancing cellular signaling and synaptic efficiency, reducing energy waste
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Restoring adaptive network activity across brain regions, which may reflect improved energy dynamics
Improved mood and motivation may also indirectly support energy balance by encouraging movement, social connection, and better sleep - all of which feed back into mitochondrial health.
Read more: The Root Cause of Brain Disease: The Metabolic Iceberg
What else boosts neurogenesis and neuroplasticity?
Psilocybin isn’t the only tool in nature’s medicine kit. Here are other ways to support your brain’s ability to grow, adapt, and thrive:
☀️ Sunlight & Circadian Rhythm
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Natural light in the morning increases dopamine and BDNF
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Supports sleep, metabolism, and hormonal regulation
🏃♂️ Exercise (Especially Aerobic)
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Increases BDNF and neurogenesis in the hippocampus
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Enhances mitochondrial biogenesis (creation of new mitochondria)
🍄 Lion’s Mane Mushroom
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Shown to promote nerve growth factor (NGF), supporting brain repair
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May reduce symptoms of mild cognitive impairment and anxiety
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A functional mushroom we’re proud to include in our products
🧘 Meditation & Breathwork
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Improves brain network integration
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Reduces stress and inflammation, which interfere with neurogenesis
Read more: What Is Neurogenesis? (And Which Supplements Are Best For Neurogenesis)
Why this matters
This isn’t just about psychedelics or Parkinson’s.
It’s about understanding the healing potential of the brain - and how natural compounds, lifestyle practices, and ancient wisdom may help us tap into it.
The idea that a single experience with a compound like psilocybin could trigger weeks or months of improved brain function is profound.
But perhaps even more powerful is what it teaches us:
🧠 The brain is not fixed.
⚡ Healing is possible.
🌱 And nature holds the keys.
Want to support your brain health today?
At Mushies, we believe in combining cutting-edge science with ancient natural wisdom.
Our Lion’s Mane mushroom extract is one of the most powerful legal tools for supporting neuroplasticity, cognition, and long-term brain health.
👉 Explore our brain-boosting mushrooms here.
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This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement or treatment plan.
