Investigating how psilocybin affects brain activity to improve learning and behavior
Official title: Psilocybin effects on brainwide activity dynamics supporting accelerated task acquisition
Funded at Princeton University · NIH-11239497 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how psilocybin, a natural substance, affects the brain and could help people dealing with anxiety, depression, and addiction by improving learning and motivation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $246,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DA062252-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11239497 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, or addiction who may benefit from novel therapeutic approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have anxiety, depression, or addiction may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how psilocybin, a psychoactive compound, influences brain mechanisms that may help treat conditions like anxiety, depression, and addiction. By examining the effects of psilocybin on brain activity and behavior, the study aims to understand how it can enhance learning and motivated behavior. The research will involve both pharmacological studies and experiments with genetically modified mice to identify the specific brain pathways involved in these effects. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new therapeutic approaches for mental health disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for anxiety, depression, and addiction through a better understanding of psilocybin's effects on the brain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with psilocybin in treating mental health conditions, indicating that this approach has potential based on earlier successes.
Where this research is happening
-
Princeton University
Princeton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Samuel Sheng-Hung — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Samuel Sheng-Hung
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.