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  • OUTLOOK

Taking the tripping out of psychedelic medicine

Drugs under development offer the mental-health benefits of psilocybin and similar substances without inducing strong hallucinatory effects.
  1. Elie Dolgin

    1. Elie Dolgin is a science journalist in Somerville, Massachusetts.

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Psychedelic drugs can cause lasting effects on the brain. Just a single dose of these mind-altering substances can spur neurons to grow new offshoots called dendritic trees and branches that engage with their neighbours, creating elaborate networks of interconnected brain cells. This rewiring of neural circuitry helps to boost mood, combat depression and increase overall feelings of wellness. It can happen within days, and the benefits can last for months.

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Nature 609, S80-S82 (2022)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-022-02869-4

This article is part of Nature Outlook: Psychedelic medicine, an editorially independent supplement produced with the financial support of third parties. About this content.

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