<p>Psilocybin — the psychedelic compound in so-called “magic mushrooms” — has exploded into headlines and social media feeds. Some call it a miracle cure for depression, others dismiss it as hype. In this episode, I take a clear-eyed look at what the science really says.</p><p>I’ll start with Sarah’s story — a young scientist whose life was turned upside down by a cycling accident and who found hope again through a psilocybin clinical trial at Johns Hopkins. Her words: <em>“This trial changed my life.”</em></p><p>From there, I explore:</p><ul><li>The history of psilocybin, from ancient rituals to 1960s psychiatry to today’s “psychedelic renaissance.”</li><li>The <strong>online buzz</strong>, where psilocybin is hyped as everything from a creativity booster to a trauma cure.</li><li>The <strong>scientific evidence</strong>, from small pilot trials to the largest modern RCTs.</li><li>The <strong>neuroscience</strong>, showing how psilocybin may “reset” rigid brain networks, boost plasticity, and even dampen inflammation.</li><li>The <strong>risks</strong>, including panic, paranoia, and psychosis in vulnerable people.</li></ul><p>Finally, I’ll share my <strong>Tools in Three</strong> so you can separate the real promise from the hype.</p><br><p><br></p><p><strong>Featured Research</strong></p><ul><li>Carhart-Harris RL, et al. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30065-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30065-</a></li><li>Carhart-Harris RL, et al. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032994" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10.1056/NEJMoa2032994</a></li><li>Davis AK, et al. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3285" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3285</a></li><li>Goodwin GM, et al. <em>S</em> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2206443" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10.1056/NEJMoa2206443</a></li><li>Additional insights from <em>Nature Medicine</em> (Carhart-Harris, 2021) and <em>New Scientist</em> on brain plasticity and inflammation.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Each episode explores what’s really going on inside your brain when you do the things you do — from the everyday to the extraordinary — and gives you three tools for your Super Brain kit. </em></p><br><p><strong><em>Sabina's books </em></strong></p><p><a href="https://www.orionbooks.co.uk/titles/sabina-brennan/the-neuroscience-of-manifesting/9781398716261/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>The Neuroscience of Manifesting </em></strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/still-me-9781399421386/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Still Me </em></strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.orionbooks.co.uk/titles/sabina-brennan/100-days-to-a-younger-brain/9781409184973/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>100 Days to a Younger </em></strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.orionbooks.co.uk/titles/sabina-brennan/beating-brain-fog/9781409197775/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Brain Beating Brain Fog </em></strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.orionbooks.co.uk/titles/sabina-brennan/brain-gym/9781399605052/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Brain Gym in a Box</em></strong></a></p><br><p>Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabinabrennan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sabina Brennan</a> on Instagram</p><p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain">http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>