Could psilocybin treat brain injuries? Neuroscientist explains how psychedelics could fill a gap in head trauma care
Neuroscientists are investigating whether psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, can help the brain recover from mild head trauma. Early research on lab rats suggests the drug may trigger neural connections that protect against long-term neurodegenerative damage.
Why it matters
Finding effective treatments for repetitive head injuries is critical for preventing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in athletes and the general population.
Live Science spoke with neuroscientist Argel Aguilar-Valles about recent research exploring psychedelics as a treatment for mild head trauma.
By Nicoletta Lanese Edited by Tia Ghose , Laura Mondrag n Published 3 October 2026 In Interview MEMBER EXCLUSIVE When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
Psychedelics trigger mechanisms in the brain that help neurons build new connections. Could they help the brain recover from injury? (Image credit: CreativeDesignArt via Getty Images) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Could a psychedelic drug help the brain recover from mild injuries? New research suggests that psilocybin, the mind-bending ingredient in magic mushrooms, might protect the brain from the damage caused by minor head impacts.
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