The secret of eternal life… in a magic mushroom?

We mostly know magic mushrooms for their hallucinogenic and spiritual effects. But what if they do more than just that? A new American study looked into the effects of psilocin—the active compound in magic mushrooms—on cells and mice. Not to get high, but to investigate: could such a substance influence aging?

The results were striking: cells lived up to 50 percent longer, and mice that received the compound had a significantly higher survival rate than their peers. They also looked a bit healthier, with fuller coats and less greying. How exactly this works is still unknown. Psilocin may help reduce cellular stress and slow down processes that typically play a role in aging. But further research is needed.

Not a miracle cure
The study was conducted on cells in a lab and on mice in a controlled environment. What this means for humans remains unclear. The right dosage? Unknown. Long-term effects? Not tested. Psilocybin is also a potent psychedelic that can cause hallucinations. Using it as an anti-aging remedy is therefore not a viable option just yet. And that “50 percent longer life” sounds spectacular, but it's about delayed cell death in an artificial setting. That’s very different from actually living longer as a human.

Smart aging
More and more people are exploring how to stay healthy for longer. Technology plays a big role in this: from cell therapy to smartwatches and pills that promise to “hack” your body. But we also look to nature for inspiration. Some animals live exceptionally long or barely show signs of aging. Take the Turritopsis dohrnii, also known as the immortal jellyfish. It can revert itself to an earlier life stage, essentially bypassing the natural aging process.

And now, even a mushroom appears to contain compounds that might influence aging. Scientists are trying to combine all this knowledge to understand how we can grow older without compromising quality of life.

The eternal life
The mushroom study touches on an age-old dream: to remain forever young, healthy, and alive. But how far are we willing to go, and at what cost? If a compound from a mushroom can slow down aging, the idea of eternal life suddenly feels within reach. And if even death becomes negotiable, maybe it’s time to rethink what it truly means to be human.