Sam Gandy - Harnessing Neurogenesis: Psychedelics & Beyond

Neurogenesis refers to the growth and development of new neurons in the brain, particularly within the hippocampus, which plays a significant role in learning and memory. Enhancing this process through lifestyle choices like cardiovascular exercise, diet, sleep hygiene, and specific psychedelic compounds offers potential new avenues for treating various mental health conditions and cognitive impairments. Brain derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, serves as a protein crucial for this regeneration, acting as a growth factor that helps protect and stimulate new neuron survival. Psychedelics such as psilocybin and ibogaine demonstrate potential in facilitating neuroplasticity and neural health. Research into psilocybin reveals that certain dosing levels can influence the unlearning of fear behaviors, while ibogaine shows promise in stimulating neurotrophic factors that support neural resilience. Alongside substances like ketamine, these agents are explored for their acute and long-term effects on brain structure and their ability to counteract detrimental factors such as chronic stress, poor diet, and alcohol consumption that impede healthy neurogenesis.