Psilocybin and neuroplasticity: what the research shows
A 2023 Nature Neuroscience study found psilocin binds directly to TrkB, a receptor tied to brain plasticity. What that means, and what it does not.
Research on psilocybin and neuroplasticity took a real step forward in 2023. A study in Nature Neuroscience found that psilocin, the compound the body makes from psilocybin, binds directly to TrkB, a brain receptor at the center of BDNF signaling and of the brain’s ability to form new connections (Moliner et al., 2023).
That finding matters because it moves the conversation from loose talk about “rewiring the brain” to a specific, measurable interaction.
What neuroplasticity actually means
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections throughout life. It is not unique to psychedelics. Exercise, learning a new skill and some antidepressants have all been linked to it.
What makes the 2023 study notable is how specific it is. It shows psilocin acting on TrkB, the same receptor that BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) normally activates.
What the study tested, and what it did not
It is worth being precise, because this is where claims often get stretched. The study looked at psilocin and LSD. It did not test DMT or ayahuasca.
Psilocin is what your body produces from psilocybin, so the finding applies to psilocybin. It should not be extended to ayahuasca or DMT, which are different compounds with their own research.
Why binding to a receptor matters
Earlier studies had seen structural changes in neurons after psychedelics, such as more dendritic spines, the small branches neurons use to connect. What was missing was the mechanism.
Direct binding to TrkB links psilocybin to the same signaling pathway involved in how several established antidepressants work. That gives researchers a concrete target to study, not just a correlation.
How this connects to what people report
Brain chemistry does not explain meaning, memory or how an experience feels. But it offers a plausible biological basis for why psilocybin is sometimes followed by lasting shifts in mood, outlook or habits.
A systematic review of psychedelics and BDNF found signs of sustained changes across several studies, suggesting the effect is not limited to the hours of the experience itself (de Vos et al., 2021).
Why this matters if you are considering a retreat
Knowing the actual mechanism gives you more realistic expectations than a vague promise to “reset your brain”. Psilocybin appears to act on a well-studied pathway already linked to mood. That is a claim future research can check, which is exactly what makes it useful.
It is also only half the picture. Preparation, the setting, the people holding the space and the integration afterward shape what a ceremony leaves you with. That is how we think about the psilocybin retreat at Finca El Péndulo.
Frequently asked questions
Does psilocybin permanently change brain structure? Studies have found short-term increases in dendritic spines and direct binding to TrkB after psilocin exposure. Current evidence does not show permanent structural change from a single session. It is still an open question.
Does this research apply to ayahuasca or DMT? No. The 2023 study tested psilocin and LSD. Its findings should not be applied to ayahuasca without separate research.
What is TrkB? A brain receptor central to BDNF signaling, a pathway strongly tied to neuroplasticity and to how several antidepressants work. Psilocin has been shown to bind to it directly.
Want to talk through what a retreat can and cannot offer? Book a call with us.
