The Role of Psychedelics in Maintaining Neuroplasticity During Aging
Somkin Kyrylo
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) February 28, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18814038 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Longitudinal |
|---|---|
| Topics | Neuroplasticity |
| Key findings | The reviewed preclinical and early clinical evidence suggests that psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin can stimulate synaptogenesis, increase dendritic spine density, and enhance neurotrophic factor expression such as BDNF, processes that decline with aging. The authors propose that these "psychoplastogens" may help preserve or restore neuroplasticity in adulthood and old age, but emphasize that findings remain preliminary and require longitudinal research on safety and efficacy in aging populations. |
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds such as LSD and Psilocybin have historically been classified alongside illicit substances and widely regarded with skepticism. However, emerging neuroscientific evidence suggests that certain psychedelics may function as “psychoplastogens”- compounds capable of promoting structural and functional neural plasticity. Recent preclinical and early clinical studies indicate that these substances can stimulate synaptogenesis, increase dendritic spine density, and enhance the expression of neurotrophic factors such as BDNF, processes that are known to decline with aging. This raises the possibility that psychedelics may play a role in preserving or restoring neuroplasticity in adulthood and old age. This article reviews current evidence regarding dose-dependent effects of psychedelics on the brain across different stages of life, with particular attention to aging-related neurobiological changes. It further explores experimental findings alongside emerging theoretical perspectives, including hypotheses at the intersection of evolutionary psychology and neurodevelopment. While promising, these findings remain preliminary, and careful longitudinal research is required to determine the safety, efficacy, and long-term implications of psychedelic-assisted interventions in aging populations.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on neuroplasticity, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A neurotrophic hypothesis of depression: role of synaptogenesis in the actions of NMDA receptor antagonists | 2012 | Review | |
| Towards an understanding of psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity. Review of preclinical and clinical studies | 2023 | Review | |
| Buddha's Brain: Neuroplasticity and Meditation [In the Spotlight] | 2008 | Review | |
| Neuroplasticity as a convergent mechanism of ketamine and classical psychedelics | 2021 | Review | |
| Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms | 2020 | Review |