Research into brain injuries, conducted across various experimental settings, has unveiled a fascinating realm of possibilities surrounding the potential of psychedelic drugs to mitigate brain damage and even trigger the generation of new neurons to replace impaired ones.
This emerging field of study is marked by the capacity of psychedelics to extend critical periods, enhance learning, and control inflammation in the brain, thereby presenting novel avenues for therapeutic interventions.
Recent studies have illuminated the unique capability of psychedelics to reopen critical windows of learning, allowing the brain to acquire new skills. A study published in the journal Nature highlighted how lab animals administered psychedelics were able to acquire skills as adults that were typically limited to childhood.
This finding resonates with previous research conducted by Johns Hopkins, which discovered that MDMA, also known as ‘ecstasy,’ has the potential to reopen critical windows of brain development, typically occurring during specific periods in life when the brain is more susceptible to environmental stimuli.
These critical windows serve as pivotal components of post-dose therapy sessions in regions where psychedelic-assisted therapy is legally practiced. During these periods, the brain becomes highly receptive to new ideas, and skilled psychoanalysts can assist patients in recovering from severe trauma, harnessing the newfound potential for healing and growth.
While these discoveries have been known for some time, Johns Hopkins is now advancing the field by demonstrating that the reopening of critical windows can be induced by other compounds, such as psilocybin (the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms) and LSD. This realization broadens the range of potential therapeutic applications.
Moreover, the researchers at Johns Hopkins have made an intriguing observation – critical window periods emerge naturally in humans following traumatic brain injuries or strokes, and psychedelics can prolong the duration of these critical windows beyond their usual timeframe. This raises the exciting prospect that psychedelic therapy could extend the critical windows long enough to facilitate a significantly greater degree of functional recovery.
Another dimension through which certain psychedelics appear to aid in brain recovery post-injury is by modulating inflammation in the brain. Inflammation is a natural response to trauma, typically aimed at healing damaged tissues. However, modern lifestyles characterized by poor diets, sedentary behavior, chronic stress, and exposure to environmental toxins have resulted in many individuals experiencing dysregulated inflammatory systems. In such cases, the mechanisms that would naturally inhibit inflammation are disrupted, potentially leading to neuronal damage.
Psychedelics, by binding to serotonin receptors called 5-HT2a, exhibit a dual role in controlling inflammation while also producing the characteristics of hallucinogenic effects. Moreover, these substances appear to stimulate the production of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, a growth factor responsible for the recovery and regeneration of injured neurons.
Encouragingly, National Geographic reported that several research labs are actively investigating dimethyl-tryptamine (DMT) for its potential to bind to 5-HT2a receptors and induce the production of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, contributing to brain injury recovery.
They wrote, “Rats slowly infused with low doses of DMT after a stroke had fewer damaged tissues and more extensive recovery. Brain levels of anti-inflammatory compounds and sigma-1 proteins were abundant in the treated animals.”
The bottom line is that the evolving field of psychedelic-based brain injury research holds tremendous promise, not only for extending the window of opportunity for recovery but also for managing inflammation in the brain. These discoveries open doors to innovative therapeutic strategies that have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach and treat brain injuries. As research in this area continue to expand, we may witness the development of novel treatments and interventions that enhance the quality of life for those affected by traumatic brain injuries.
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