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Concurrent stress modulates the acute and post-acute effects of psilocybin in a sex-dependent manner.

Neuropharmacology
March 15, 2025
Miguel Farinha-Ferreira et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleAnimal Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to investigate the role of sex and peri-acute negative experiences (stress) in the acute and post-acute mood-altering effects of psilocybin.

Results Summary

Psilocybin increased head-twitch response frequency more in female mice than males. It induced anxiolytic-like effects, which were fully blocked by stress in males but only partially in females. Stress and psilocybin independently increased corticosterone levels without additive effects.

Population

Adult male and female C57BL/6J mice

Effective Dosage

5 mg/kg (intraperitoneal)

Duration

Acute administration with behavioral assessments starting 24 hours post-administration

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
psilocybin (5 mg/kg; i.p.)
increase
head-twitch response (HTR) frequency
Adult male and female C57BL/6J mice
-
increased
#1
psilocybin (5 mg/kg; i.p.)
increase
head-twitch response (HTR) frequency
females (C57BL/6J mice)
-
effect was greater
#2
psilocybin
decrease
anxiety-like behaviors
mice
-
induced anxiolytic-like
#3
psilocybin
no change
depression-like behaviors
mice
-
not antidepressant-like
#4
stress
decrease
anxiolytic-like effects of psilocybin
males (mice)
-
fully blocked
#5
stress
decrease
anxiolytic-like effects of psilocybin
females (mice)
-
only partially blocked
#6
stress
increase
plasma corticosterone levels
mice
-
increased
#7
psilocybin
increase
plasma corticosterone levels
mice
-
increased
#8
stress and psilocybin
no change
plasma corticosterone levels
mice
-
no additive or interactive effects
#9
Abstract

There is renewed interest in psychedelics, such as psilocybin, as therapies for multiple difficult-to-treat psychiatric disorders. Even though psychedelics can induce highly pleasant or aversive experiences, depending on multiple personal and environmental factors, there is little research into how such experiences impact post-acute mood-altering actions. Here we aimed at offsetting this gap. First, we tested whether acute psilocybin effects differed between sexes. Adult male and female C57BL/6J mice received saline or psilocybin (5 mg/kg; i.p.), and head-twitch response (HTR) frequency was quantified. Notably, while psilocybin increased HTR frequency in both sexes, the effect was greater in females. We then tested if stress exposure during acute drug effects impacted post-acute psilocybin actions. Following drug treatment, mice were returned to their homecage or restrained for 1 h. Anxiety- and depression-like behaviors were assessed starting 24 h following drug administration, using the marble burying, novelty-suppressed feeding, and splash tests. Psilocybin induced anxiolytic-, but not antidepressant-like, which were fully blocked by stress in males, but only partially so in females. Lastly, we assessed the acute stress-psilocybin interaction on plasma corticosterone levels in a separate cohort of mice, treated as above. Both stress and psilocybin independently increased corticosterone levels, without additive or interactive effects being observed for either sex. Our data reveals the role of sex and peri-acute negative experiences in the acute and post-acute actions of psilocybin. These findings underline the importance of non-pharmacological factors, such as the quality of the psychedelic experience, in the mood-altering effects of psychedelics, holding significant for both their therapeutic and recreational use.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsPsilocybinMaleFemaleHallucinogensMice, Inbred C57BLStress, PsychologicalSex CharacteristicsMiceAnxietyDepression
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.09
Normalized Score0.66
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