Different doses of psilocybin produce distinct behavioral and brain-altering effects in mice, according to new research published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. The study suggests that moderate doses of the compound are linked to reduced anxiety, while higher doses tend to produce antidepressant-like effects and increase signs of new neural connections. These findings help clarify how different levels of brain receptor engagement could eventually guide more precise treatments for human psychiatric conditions. Psilocybin is the primary psychoactive compound found in certain species of magic mushrooms. In the human body, it is broken down into psilocin, which activates specific serotonin receptors in the brain to produce altered states of consciousness. Recent clinical trials suggest that just one or two doses of psilocybin can provide rapid and long-lasting relief for patients with major depressive disorder. Despite these encouraging clinical outcomes, the exact biological mechanisms that make psilocybin an effective antidepressant over the long term remain somewhat unclear. The drug leaves the body within hours, yet its mood-boosting effects can persist for weeks or months. “Psilocybin has shown …