In a groundbreaking Genomic Press interview, Dr. Michael Wheeler of Harvard Medical School reveals how psychedelics like psilocybin can reverse stress-induced fear behaviors by modulating neuroimmune pathways. His recent Nature publication demonstrates that psychedelics reduce immune cell accumulation in brain meninges while simultaneously reducing fear behaviors, opening new therapeutic possibilities.

New research from UTHealth Houston reveals that substance use disorders accelerate biological aging in the brain through substance-specific molecular mechanisms. The study, published in Genomic Psychiatry, identified distinct genetic and biological pathways that contribute to premature aging in individuals with alcohol, opioid, and stimulant use disorders, offering potential targets for future therapeutic interventions.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have demonstrated that a single dose of a psychedelic compound significantly improves cognitive flexibility in mice for at least three weeks after administration. This groundbreaking finding suggests potential therapeutic applications for conditions characterized by cognitive rigidity, including depression, PTSD, and Alzheimer's disease.