New Studies Suggest Psilocybin May Help the Brain Recover After Concussion
>Liberty cap (Psilocybe semilanceata). Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, is being investigated for its potential effects on brain recovery.
Photo: Jon Mortin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).
Two studies in rats have found changes in brain processes linked to recovery after traumatic injury. The findings are promising, but human research is still needed.
Could a psychedelic compound help the injured brain recover?
Researchers are beginning to explore the possibility after two animal studies published in 2026 found changes in brain activity, inflammation and behaviour following traumatic brain injury.
The first study, published in Communications Biology on 8 September 2026, focused on adult female rats with repeated mild head injuries. After receiving psilocybin, the animals showed less fluid build-up in brain tissue, improved blood-vessel reactivity and changes in communication between brain regions.
Levels of phosphorylated tau fell, while BDNF and its receptor, TrkB, increased. BDNF helps maintain nerve cells and supports the brain's ability to form connections.
A second study, published in Cell Reports Medicine on 12 June 2026, looked at male rats with fluid-percussion brain injuries. Twelve months after injury, the animals received a single injection of psilocybin at 1 mg per kilogram of body weight or saline.
Some behavioural improvements were also reported. Treated rats performed better on a beam-walking task. Some results from learning and memory tests also favoured the treated animals. Researchers found that 5-HT₂A receptor binding moved closer to levels seen in uninjured rats. Microglial cell numbers also fell in the medial prefrontal cortex. [2]
Although some behavioural measures have improved, not all results were positive. Tests of social behaviour and anxiety showed no treatment-related improvements.
The findings point to possible effects of psilocybin on inflammation and neuroplasticity. But changes in proteins and immune cells don't prove that damaged brain tissue has healed, and results in rats also do not predict how people might respond, so human trials are needed to establish safety, appropriate doses and lasting benefits. For now, psilocybin is not an established treatment for concussion. These studies also provide no evidence that it can prevent chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) or reverse neurodegenerative diseases.
These results contribute to a developing collection of studies on animals that indicate psilocybin might offer positive outcomes following brain injuries. They also encourage more research into its potential role in future therapeutic approaches.
References
Brengel, E. K., et al. (2026). Psilocybin as a treatment for repetitive mild head injury: Evidence from neuroradiology and molecular biology. Communications Biology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-10804-w
Allen, J., (2026). Psilocybin restores behavior and 5-HT₂A signaling while reducing microglial density after chronic traumatic brain injury in rats. Cell Reports https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2026.102867