Psilocybin Can ‘Maximize’ Recovery From Traumatic Brain Injury, Scientific Review Concludes

By Ben Adlin

August 19 2025

Psilocybin, a primary chemical component in psychedelic mushrooms, may offer significant benefits for patients recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to a new scientific review published in the journal Brain Science.

A three-person team from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and Hackensack Meridian’s JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute reviewed 29 published studies on psilocybin use in TBI patients. They concluded that assisted psilocybin therapy “may have benefits in TBI by reducing inflammation, promoting neuroplasticity and neuroregeneration, and alleviating associated mood disorders.”

The authors noted that these findings, combined with “positive results in related fields, such as treatment for depression and addiction, highlight the necessity for more extensive clinical trials on psilocybin’s role in TBI recovery.”

The review emphasizes psilocybin’s potential, stating, “The research on psilocybin as a therapeutic agent shows promise for its application in TBI in theory, but it requires more in-depth studies.”

Key points from the report include psilocybin’s apparent anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to stimulate the production of new neurons and brain connections. Additionally, its antidepressant effects could be particularly valuable, given the high rates of depression among TBI patients.

However, the paper also highlights “concerns regarding potential ‘bad trips’ and other possible side effects,” underscoring the “need for more controlled clinical trials to establish safe and effective protocols.”

Importantly, the review found no evidence that classical psychedelics increase the risk of seizures, a significant finding given the elevated seizure risk associated with TBI.

The authors noted that federal restrictions on psilocybin hinder research efforts, stating, “Decriminalization efforts in the United States are indicative of growing interest, but its federal Schedule I classification limits rigorous scientific exploration.”

Overall, the paper suggests that “psilocybin treatment, combined with current therapeutic practices, has the potential to maximize TBI recovery, providing a novel method to enhance treatment for people dealing with this persistent condition.”

This research aligns with a broader resurgence of interest in psychedelics for treating mental health and medical conditions, including TBI and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly among military veterans.

Earlier this year, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary identified exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics like psilocybin and ibogaine as a “top priority” for the Trump administration, especially for helping veterans cope with trauma from “unnecessary wars.” Makary emphasized the need to reduce bureaucratic barriers and conduct “an expeditious and rapid review” toward federal approval.

“When it comes to some of these psychedelics and other plant-based therapies, I don’t think we’re listening to patients,” Makary said. “I don’t think the medical establishment is listening to doctors. When I listen to individuals who have tried these for real medical conditions—post-traumatic stress disorder, severe refractory depression—people tell me that they believe psilocybin was successful. It was curative or significantly helped their severe mood disorder.”

He added, “There are trials now looking at it for traumatic brain injury—things we have had nothing for in the past. What have we had to treat traumatic brain injury and PTSD that has really had great results up until this time?”

Under the Biden administration, the FDA issued novel guidance for researchers pursuing psychedelic approvals, though it rejected an application for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. The current administration shows a continued shift in psychedelics policy, with support from the secretaries of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as well as President Donald Trump’s pick for U.S. surgeon general, Casey Means, who has shared her personal experience benefiting from psilocybin.

In May, VA Secretary Doug Collins highlighted his commitment to exploring psychedelics as a therapy option for veterans, noting he’s “one of the first” VA secretaries to prioritize this issue. Collins also met with a veteran advocating for psilocybin access to discuss its therapeutic potential.

Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Lou Correa (D-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Psychedelic Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, introduced a bill in April to allocate $30 million annually to establish psychedelics-focused “centers for excellence” at VA facilities, where veterans could access treatments involving substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine.

Bergman expressed optimism about advancing psychedelics reform under Trump, suggesting that the administration’s focus on reducing federal spending and workforce size could empower agencies to tackle complex issues like psychedelics policy.

Collins also informed Trump during a Cabinet meeting that the VA is “opening up the possibility of psychedelic treatment” for veterans. In a Senate committee hearing in May, he reiterated his commitment to studying psychedelic therapy for mental health conditions prevalent among veterans.

Bipartisan lawmakers have urged the VA to discuss pathways for providing veterans access to psychedelic medicine. Collins disclosed an “eye-opening” conversation with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about psychedelics’ medical potential and expressed openness to government-funded vouchers for veterans to access psychedelic therapy outside VA facilities.

In December, the VA announced $1.5 million in funding to study MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder (AUD).