Psilocybin and human longevity
npj Aging April 3, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41514-026-00380-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 28 |
| Population | Prominent psychedelic personalities, researchers, and advocates; cancer researchers; aging researchers |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Longevity Population Human life Epidemiology Cancer Life expectancy Disease Gerontology Socioeconomic status Personality psychology Tauopathy Hallucinogen |
| Key findings | Psychedelic personalities did not outlive cancer and aging researchers, and all groups exceeded population life expectancy, likely due to socioeconomic advantage. |
Abstract
Psilocybin extends lifespan in aged mice, and this has prompted extensive media speculation about possible human longevity benefits. We examined mortality among prominent psychedelic personalities, researchers, and advocates who claimed psychedelic use (n = 11) and compared them with cancer (n = 12) and aging researchers (n = 5). All groups exceeded population life expectancy, reflecting the effect of socioeconomic advantage on lifespan, but psychedelic personalities did not outlive cancer and aging researchers. These findings highlight the need for rigorous mechanistic and epidemiological studies before inferring human anti-aging effects of psychedelics.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms. Patients with treatment-resistant depression | 2017 | Observational cohort | n = 19 |
| Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Healthy volunteers | 2019 | Observational cohort | n = 8 |
| Increased spontaneous MEG signal diversity for psychoactive doses of ketamine, LSD and psilocybin Humans | 2017 | Observational study | |
| Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population. USA adult respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008-2012) | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 190,000 |
| Prediction of Psilocybin Response in Healthy Volunteers Healthy volunteers | 2012 | Observational cohort | n = 409 |