The magic of mushrooms: psilocybin influences behavior in the mangrove rivulus fish, Kryptolebias marmoratus.
Dayna Forsyth, Nicoletta Faraone, Simon G. Lamarre, Suzanne Currie
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2026 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2026.1767175 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Isogenic lineages of the amphibious mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus) |
| Intervention | psilocybin |
| Dose | waterborne dose |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Activity Aggression Mangrove rivulus Social behavior |
| Key findings | Waterborne psilocybin treatment significantly decreased activity levels and the frequency of swimming bursts (an aggressive behavior) towards a conspecific fish from a different lineage. |
Abstract
Non-human models, including fish, are increasingly important for investigating how pharmacological agents such as hallucinogens influence behavior, physiology, and cellular processes. These models help to reveal underlying mechanisms and to support assessments of toxicological impact, efficacy, and safety. In this study, we used isogenic lineages of the amphibious mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus), an emerging model fish known for high activity and socially dynamic interactions. This species often display aggression towards conspecifics making it well-suited to study behavioral effects of low doses of the psychoactive compound, psilocybin. We determined whether psilocybin could induce calming effects and reduce social aggression and activity. We socially stimulated fish using pairs of size-matched fish from different isogenic lineages and compared baseline social behavior following a waterborne dose of psilocybin. Waterborne psilocybin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in activity levels and in the frequency of swimming bursts (an aggressive behavior) towards a conspecific fish from a different lineage, with modest alterations on other behaviors. Our results also revealed considerable intraspecific variation in the behavioral response of these homozygous fish, suggesting the effects of psilocybin were largely independent of genotype. This study demonstrates that psilocybin reduces aggression and activity in an emerging fish model, adding to the evidence supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent for future clinical translation.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action Healthy human volunteers | 1998 | Experimental study | |
| Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin Participants in controlled laboratory experiments receiving a moderate to high oral... | 2015 | Validation study using pooled data from five laboratory experiments | n = 184 |
| Broadband Cortical Desynchronization Underlies the Human Psychedelic State Healthy human participants | 2013 | Experimental study | |
| Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for psychiatric and existential distress in patients with life-threatening cancer Participants with cancer-related psychiatric distress who completed a parent randomized... | 2020 | Long-term within-subjects follow-up analysis | n = 15 |
| Enzymatic Synthesis of Psilocybin | 2017 | Laboratory study |
Citations in the library
Cites 28
- Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Neuropsychopharmacology January 26, 2019
- Potential Therapeutic Effects of Psilocybin. Neurotherapeutics July 1, 2017
- Psilocybin: from ancient magic to modern medicine The Journal of Antibiotics May 12, 2020
- Molecular Mechanisms of Psilocybin and Implications for the Treatment of Depression CNS Drugs November 17, 2021
- Effects of hallucinogenic agents mescaline and phencyclidine on zebrafish behavior and physiology Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry January 10, 2012
and 23 more in the library