Psychedelics are opening an exciting new chapter in brain-health research! In 48 healthy older volunteers, repeated low-dose LSD showed no impairment in cognition, balance or proprioception, and its authors said the results support further clinical development of LSD for Alzheimer’s disease. In 12 people with Parkinson’s disease, symptoms did not worsen and depression scores (MADRS) fell 9.3 points after psilocybin therapy. And 62 adults aged 60 and over showed well-being improvements after guided psychedelic group sessions, similar to matched younger adults! Encouraging to see careful research continuing, with more studies on the way.
Key studies
Study 1. Low-dose LSD in 48 healthy older participants (Family, 2020)
No impairment in cognition, balance or proprioception in 48 healthy older volunteers given repeated low-dose LSD!
In a phase 1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 48 healthy volunteers with an average age of 62.9 received one of three low doses of LSD or a placebo on six occasions! Researchers reported that LSD was well tolerated, with adverse events no more frequent than with placebo, and that assessments of cognition, balance and proprioception revealed no impairment. The authors concluded that the results support further clinical development of LSD for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease!
“Assessments of cognition, balance, and proprioception revealed no impairment.”
Abstract of the published study (text from Europe PMC), key sentence highlighted in yellow. Source: Study 1. Low-dose LSD in 48 healthy older participants (Family, 2020) https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05417-7
Study 2. Psilocybin therapy in 12 people with Parkinson’s disease and depression or anxiety (Bradley, 2025)
Depression scores (MADRS) fell 9.3 points, with improvements apparent within one week and no worsening of Parkinson’s symptoms, after psilocybin therapy in 12 people!
In an open-label pilot trial, 12 people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease and depression and/or anxiety received two doses of psilocybin with psychotherapy! Researchers reported no worsening of Parkinson’s symptoms, with motor and non-motor symptom scores improving after treatment (MDS-UPDRS Part I −13.8, p < 0.001), and with depression (MADRS −9.3, p = .001) and anxiety (HAM-A −3.8, p = 0.031) scores that persisted to the final assessment. The authors noted that improvements in mood were rapid relative to standard pharmacotherapy, becoming apparent within one week of dosing.
“Improvements in mood dysfunction were rapid relative to standard pharmacotherapy, becoming apparent within one week of drug administration”
Abstract of the published study (text from Europe PMC), key sentence highlighted in yellow. Source: Study 2. Psilocybin therapy in 12 people with Parkinson’s disease and depression or anxiety (Bradley, 2025) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-025-02097-0
Study 3. Guided psychedelic group sessions in 62 older adults and 62 matched younger adults (Kettner, 2024)
62 adults aged 60+ showed well-being improvements after a guided psychedelic group session, similar to matched younger adults!
In a prospective observational study, 62 adults aged 60 or older and 62 matched younger adults completed surveys before and up to six months after a guided psychedelic group session! Researchers reported that the older adults showed well-being improvements similar to the younger adults, and that a lifetime psychiatric diagnosis was associated with greater well-being increases in older adults at four weeks (p = .016). The authors concluded that guided psychedelic group sessions enhance well-being in older adults, with relational experiences before and after the sessions emerging as predictors of change.
“Older adults reported well-being improvements similar to a matched sample of younger adults following participation in a psychedelic retreat”
Abstract of the published study (text from Europe PMC), key sentence highlighted in yellow. Source: Kettner H, Roseman L, Gazzaley A, Carhart-Harris RL, Pasquini L. Effects of Psychedelics in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2024;32(9):1047-1059. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2024.05.007
Related reading
- Johnston CB, Mangini M, Grob C, Anderson B. The Safety and Efficacy of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies for Older Adults: Knowns and Unknowns. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2022.08.007 — A geriatric psychiatry article reporting that psychedelics have shown efficacy for mood disorders, PTSD and prolonged grief, and have properties that could help provide therapeutic benefits for patients with dementing disorders.
- Haniff ZR, Bocharova M, Mantingh T, Rucker JJ, Velayudhan L, Taylor DM, et al. Psilocybin for dementia prevention? The potential role of psilocybin to alter mechanisms associated with major depression and neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacol Ther. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108641 — A narrative review of how psilocybin, a rapid-acting antidepressant, may act on brain processes shared by depression and neurodegenerative diseases, and might one day help prevent dementia.
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Older Adults · Parkinson’s Disease · Neurological Injury · Traumatic Brain Injury · Physical Well Being · Medication Safety Screening
This page summarizes published research for education only. It is not medical advice. Any change to a medication remains the decision of that person’s own prescriber.
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