Magic Mushrooms and the Mind: Psilocybin’s Hyperconnected Brain State Linked to Therapeutic Effects

Study shows psilocybin induces dynamic brain connectivity, linked to profound, ego-altering experiences, potentially beneficial in psychotherapy.

Researchers from Elsevier have discovered that psilocybin, the active compound in “magic mushrooms,” creates a state of hyperconnectivity in the brain. The state is associated with ego-modifying effects and a sensation known as oceanic boundlessness, which encompasses feelings of unity, bliss, insight, and spiritual experiences typically reported during psychedelic experiences. Their findings, published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, help explain the mystical experiences reported during psychedelic use and offer insights into its therapeutic potential for the treatment of mental health disorders.