This article from Live Science reports on a new study that investigates the effects of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, on the human brain. The research, published in the journal Nature, found that psilocybin disrupts the brain's "default mode network," a network of interconnected brain regions responsible for self-reflection and the sense of self. This disruption, known as desynchronization, causes subjective effects like altered perceptions of time and space, which are characteristic of psychedelic experiences. The study also found that these effects persist for several weeks after a high dose of psilocybin, suggesting that the drug may have lasting effects on brain connectivity. The study's authors propose that psilocybin's ability to induce brain plasticity might explain its potential for treating depression and other mental health conditions.
