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BCSP News

Tripping into Old Age: Can Psychedelics Protect the Aging Brain?

In a new study, UC Berkeley researchers are investigating whether psilocybin can support healthy aging by boosting plasticity in the brains of older adults.
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PLASTICITY Study Launches to Explore Psilocybin and Healthy Aging

Researchers are enrolling participants in a new study investigating how psilocybin may affect memory, perception, emotion, and brain structure and function in healthy older adults.
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Can Psilocybin Promote Successful Aging? Q&A with BCSP Researchers

A Q&A with the principal researchers behind a study exploring a promising potential use of psilocybin: to promote successful aging of healthy older adults.
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Five Big Takeaways from the 2025 UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey

Postdoctoral research scientist Tyrone Sgambati walks us through five big findings from the latest UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey.
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UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics Releases Second Annual UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey Results

New research tracks shifting attitudes on psychedelic use, policy, safety and stigma among U.S. voters
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A Neuroscientist Describes Your Brain on Psychedelics in 101 Seconds

Watch UC Berkeley Professor Michael Silver describe how recording the brains of people on psychedelics could transform our understanding of human consciousness.
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Collective Continuance: Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship Q&A with Marlena Robbins

Q&A with Marlena Robbins, program coordinator for the Collective Continuance: Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship.
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Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Social Media Fellow Q&As: Solei Sarmiento

Q&A with Solei Sarmiento, a Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Social Media Fellow.
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BCSP in the Media

For media inquiries, please reach out to BCSPmedia@berkeley.edu. Please include your publication and deadline in the subject line.

Scientific American

Americans are increasingly open to using psychedelics for medical reasons

“A survey found that more than 60 percent of respondents “strongly support” making psychedelics easier to study, reflecting a growing consensus that some could have therapeutic use.”

May 13, 2026

KQED Forum

What RFK Jr.’s support for psychedelic therapy means for its future

BCSP Faculty Director Michael Silver and Program Coordinator Marlena Robbins discuss how state and federal governments can influence the momentum of the psychedelics field and what it all means for the future of psychedelic research and therapy.

November 6, 2025

SFGATE

Bay Area embraces new era in psychedelic therapy

“The center aims to provide clear-eyed research and education about how psychedelics may be used to help humanity. ‘We have an enormous mental health crisis, and we need new and better treatments.’ said Silver.”

Mar 29, 2025

KQED

UC Berkeley launches landmark study: how exactly do magic mushrooms alter the brain?

“Amid mounting efforts to legalize psychedelic drugs, UC Berkeley researchers will use neuroimaging to observe how psilocybin alters the brain — the university’s first human study involving a Schedule 1 substance.”

September 10, 2024