Psilocybin Effects on Healthy Aging Biomarkers and Purpose in Life

Aging is accompanied by progressive changes across multiple physiological systems thatcontribute to functional decline and increased risk for age‐related disease. Biomarkersof biological aging, including DNA methylation‐based epigenetic clocks, have emerged astools for assessing age‐related biological processes and predicting future healthoutcomes.Recent preclinical studies have suggested that psilocybin and its active metabolite,psilocin, may influence several pathways implicated in aging, including cellularsenescence, oxidative stress, neuroplasticity, and epigenetic regulation. In addition tobiological effects, observational studies have demonstrated associations betweenpsychosocial factors, including purpose in life and social connectedness, and reducedmorbidity and mortality in older adults. Previous clinical studies have shown thatpsilocybin may produce changes in psychological well‐being, meaning, and relatedconstructs.The LONG‐LIFE Study is designed to evaluate multiple domains relevant to healthy aging,including, but not limited to, epigenetic and biological clock measures, cognitiveperformance, psychosocial well‐being, and ecological momentary assessments of dailyexperience.