A new study has shown that remodeling myelin—the protective sheath around nerve cells—may be key to long-term improvement in people with PTSD, Medical Express reports . Scientists have found that after treatment with psilocybin or ecstasy (MDMA), the brain experiences enhanced growth and remodeling of myelin around nerve fibers.
It's known that myelin serves as an insulator, like a cable sheath, helping brain signals travel synchronously and without interference. In PTSD, these mechanisms become disrupted. Now, scientists have discovered that taking psychedelics restores the myelin sheath, restoring stability to brain circuits.
These findings were obtained in preclinical experiments, but they explain the positive results of using psychedelics in patients with PTSD in clinical trials. In some countries, psychedelics such as psilocybin are already approved for the treatment of people with PTSD, but new data will help refine the therapy to ensure long-term treatment effectiveness. Understanding the regenerative potential of psychedelics for myelin repair may lead to the development of customized treatment regimens and dosages.
Previously, another psychedelic demonstrated excellent efficacy against PTSD. It was more effective than psilocybin—after a month of treatment, symptoms decreased by 88%.
