Psilocybin effects on brain functional connectivity: a systematic review of fMRI studies
Àlvar Farré-colomés, Olga Rublinetska, Oscar Soto-Angona
Discover Mental Health March 19, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-026-00384-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Depression and healthy controls |
| Topics | Default mode network Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Anterior cingulate cortex Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex Functional imaging Functional brain imaging Neuroimaging Dropout neural networks Human studies Data extraction Human brain Magnetic resonance imaging |
| Key findings | The current literature on psilocybin and fMRI exhibits inconsistency in methods and designs, with most research focusing on the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and prefrontal cortex. |
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted therapies are innovative therapeutic approaches, particularly in the treatment of depression. However, there are sparse studies providing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) evidence elucidating the underlying biological mechanisms that support clinical outcomes. This review aims to comprehensively gather all the evidence reported in psilocybin studies using fMRI techniques. Independent extraction of articles was conducted by 2 authors using predefined data fields. 20 unique datasets were identified, with 5 including participants diagnosed with depression. Dropout rates were found to be high, and follow-up scanning timepoints were lacking in most of the studies. Most research has focused on the amygdala, the anterior cingulate cortex and the prefrontal cortex, as key regions involved in the effects of psilocybin. However, the current literature exhibits inconsistency in methods and designs. Further research is necessary to better define psilocybin’s impact on the human brain and its potential to enhance psychotherapy outcomes.