Two low doses of psilocybin reversed depression- and anxiety-like behaviours in chronically stressed rats while restoring brain cell growth and normalising stress hormone levels.

Researchers at the Polish Academy of Sciences found that treated rats resumed normal reward-seeking, explored open areas more, and showed increased neuroplasticity markers in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Corticosterone levels normalised within hours and remained lower two weeks after treatment, supporting further research into stress-related mood disorders.