Psilocybin reduces preference for big rewards while increasing activity of specific inhibitory neurons in the brain's decision-making area

In male rats, psilocybin reduced later preference for large rewards, suggesting lower appetitive motivation rather than reduced impulsivity.

This preclinical rat experiment compared psilocybin with vehicle in a delay discounting task and microscopy of dorsomedial prefrontal cortex PV interneurons with PNNs and c-Fos.

The behavioral effect was independent of delay and came from male rats, so it does not show reduced choice impulsivity or human substance-use benefit.