Breakthrough: Woman with Alzheimer’s Disease Begins Speaking Again After Psilocybin Treatment

In a groundbreaking case, a woman suffering from severe Alzheimer’s disease, who had communicated in monosyllables for years, started speaking again after receiving high doses of psilocybin. This 83-year-old patient, also facing challenges with mobility and urinary incontinence, showed remarkable improvements in her condition within weeks of treatment. Although further investigation is warranted, this case showcases the potential of psychedelics in rapidly enhancing cognitive function.

“Her facial expressions became more animated, she made longer eye contact, smiled more, and exhibited increased agility,” said Marcus Lago from the Ankh Cross Society in São Paulo, Brazil. “During a follow-up session, she spontaneously remarked, ‘It feels good to be here.’

The woman, whose diagnosis was made ten years prior, had lived in a state of reduced functioning for half that time. With her son’s consent, she was administered 5 grams of the strong magic mushroom strain, Enigma (Psilocybe cubensis), orally. Following the initial dosage, she experienced prolonged sleep and profuse sweating, but after about 19 hours, she began conversing, reminiscing, and reflecting—this interaction lasted four hours.

In the weeks following the treatment, Lago and his team observed her reclaiming control over her urinary incontinence, changing clothes independently, and engaging in spontaneous conversations. Approximately one month after her initial experience, she was given another 3 grams of psilocybin, which triggered memories of happy moments, such as surfing with her son on a serene island.

“She chose coordinating attire, eagerly anticipated breakfast in the television room, recognized familiar items like rental cars, was aware of unexpected absences, and notably managed her incontinence more effectively,” Lago reported.

The researchers noted that while the woman’s Alzheimer’s disease was not fully reversed, her cognitive functions may still be accessible through psychedelics. Psilocybin is known to stimulate serotonin receptors in the brain, which might enhance brain plasticity and alter neural communication patterns.

David Nutt, a professor at Imperial College London, remarked he has encountered similar accounts indicating psychedelics might boost cognitive function in individuals with neurodegenerative disorders. “These findings are not definitive proof that psychedelics enhance longevity or cognitive health, but they align with their known anti-inflammatory properties,” he explained.

While the exact causes of Alzheimer’s remain unclear, the amyloid hypothesis posits that misfolded amyloid beta proteins accumulate between neurons, disrupting cellular functions and leading to cell death. “Some cognitive dysfunction may arise from one brain circuit suppressing another, and psychedelics could potentially mitigate these effects,” Nutt added.

However, the long-term impacts of psilocybin are uncertain. “I harbor significant concern regarding the validity and ethical implications of this report,” cautioned Albert Garcia-Romeu of Johns Hopkins University. He is involved in a study examining the effects of psilocybin on depression in patients with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s. “The study merely discusses outcomes from a month following the initial session without detailing further assessments or sustained effects.”

Garcia-Romeu emphasized the limitations of this case report, noting it cannot be generalized to all Alzheimer’s patients. Additionally, he pointed out that the diagnosis was based on symptoms rather than more reliable methods like biomarker testing or neuroimaging.

Yet, there’s a growing call for further investigation into psilocybin’s potential benefits. “Though this case study is dramatic and warrants cautious interpretation, it suggests that a clinical trial may be necessary,” proposed Rudolph Tanzi at Harvard University.