Psilocybin and ergothioneine from mushrooms improve brain function.

Psilocybin in combination with ergothioneine for cognitive decline

Ergothioneine is an essential amino acid found in edible mushrooms. In the body, ergothioneine is found primarily in the lens of the eye, but also in red blood cells, kidneys, and skin. According to various studies, ergothioneine can slow down brain aging processes, reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, and combat depression (epidemiological research). The combination of melatonin and ergothioneine is known to protect against neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's. Can the combination of ergothioneine and psilocybin (molecular structure similar to melatonin) then also help against cognitive decline and depression?

Edible plus hallucinogenic mushrooms

In addition to ergothioneine, edible mushrooms contain sterols such as ergosterol and polysaccharides such as lentinan. These substances inhibit inflammatory and aging processes in the brain, but also appear to stimulate neurons to form new connections. Psilocybin from hallucinogenic mushrooms (magic mushrooms) is known to do the same, namely promote anti-inflammatory neurogenesis. In theory, these substances could work synergistically and make psilocybin even more effective in combating depression resulting from inflammation in a biochemical way.

Whether adding other edible mushrooms to psilocybin sessions actually leads to a healthier brain in practice still needs to be investigated further. With logical reasoning, one would say that it is possible. Would you like to know more about these topics? We have a somewhat older article about the medicinal properties of mushrooms that also features Reishi and Lion's Mane.

See also: Medicinal properties of (magic) mushrooms | Psilocybin info