Biochemistry and cell biology = Biochimie et biologie cellulaireOct 17, 2025

Psilocybin reduces skin aging caused by high sugar and fat in human skin cells

Psychedelic Science Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Jun 28, 2026

Abstract

Essence

In BJ-5ta fibroblasts, psilocybin reduced several high-glucose and high-lipid aging signals and may help protect against stress-related skin aging.

Evidence

This cell-culture experiment in HGHL-exposed BJ-5ta fibroblasts tested co- and post-treatment with psilocybin and found improved viability, lower beta-galactosidase activity, less apoptosis and S phase arrest, lower senescence and inflammatory markers, and nonsignificant migration gains.

Caveat

The evidence is preclinical fibroblast work with dose- and timing-specific effects, and the wound-healing signal was not significant.

Simplified

Cellular aging, driven by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation, is exacerbated by a high-glucose and high-lipid (HGHL) diet, leading to collagen degradation and skin aging. Psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound, has shown potential in reducing symptoms of aging. This study explores the protective effects of psilocybin on BJ-5ta fibroblasts exposed to HGHL, focusing on cellular viability, apoptosis, senescence, the inflammatory responses, and wound healing. First, fibroblasts were exposed to 25 mmol/L glucose and 400 µmol/L palmitic acid to establish cell aging. Then, psilocybin effects were tested in co- and post-treatment with HGHL. Post-treatment with psilocybin at 15 µmol/L (P15) and co-treatment with psilocybin at 10 µmol/L (P10) preserved cellular viability and decreased beta-galactosidase activity. P10 was most effective in reducing apoptosis and alleviating HGHL-induced S phase arrest. P15 also reduced senescence markers and decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines,, and. Additionally, psilocybin promoted nonsignificant fibroblast migration, and P10 co-treated with HGHL significantly upregulatedgene expression. These findings suggest that psilocybin's antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties make it a promising natural compound for reducing skin aging, particularly under oxidative stress conditions. Further research is needed to explore its long-term effects, optimal dosages, and clinical applications. IL-1β IL-6COX-2elastin