Leor Roseman: Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy, Neural Changes & the Relationship Between

Psilocybin-assisted therapy demonstrates strong clinical potential for treating treatment-resistant depression by utilizing peak experiences and emotional processing. Clinical trial results show significant reductions in depression scores that persist up to six months after therapy, with peak mystical experiences serving as core predictors of positive therapeutic outcomes. Neural imaging data reveals that while acute psilocybin use decreases default mode network connectivity in the brain, post-treatment follow-ups indicate an increase in connectivity that corresponds with clinical improvements. Specifically, increased amygdala reactivity to fearful stimuli after therapy points to enhanced emotional openness, enabling patients to confront and work through difficult emotions rather than avoiding them.