'Magic mushroom' may boost brain flexibility for weeks

By Knowridge -April 2, 2026



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Scientists are becoming more interested in how psychedelic drugs might help the brain. These substances were once seen mainly as dangerous or recreational, but today researchers are studying them as possible treatments for mental health problems.

Conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Alzheimer’s disease often affect how well the brain can adapt, learn, and respond to new situations. This ability is known as cognitive flexibility, and it is very important for everyday life.

A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that psychedelic drugs may help improve this flexibility in a powerful and long-lasting way. The research was published in the journal Psychedelics and was led by psychology professor Omar Ahmed.

In the study, researchers found that even a single dose of a psychedelic compound could improve the brain’s ability to adapt and learn new things. What is especially surprising is how long the effect lasted. In their experiments with mice, the benefits were still clear three weeks after just one dose.

To understand this, it helps to know what cognitive flexibility means. It is the brain’s ability to adjust when situations change. For example, if a person learns a rule and that rule suddenly changes, they need to quickly adapt and learn a new pattern.

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https://knowridge.com/2026/04/magic-mushroom-may-boost-brain-flexibility-for-weeks/