Psychedelics are having a moment in medicine but what do we actually know about how they work, and could they help an aging brain? In this episode, Dr. Dani Cabral talks with James Hosobe, a biomedical research analyst with a background in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, and psychedelic policy, to unpack the science, the hype, and the very real open questions around psychedelic-assisted therapy especially for older adults facing conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The conversation was sparked by patients and families reaching out after seeing news coverage of a woman with significant cognitive and functional impairment who reportedly improved after psilocybin use. Dr. Dani and James dig into why that single case report can't tell us what we want it to and what would actually need to happen for psychedelics to become a legitimate tool in brain health. James Hosobe is a biomedical research analyst with the Arizona Department of Health Services, where his work spans preclinical and clinical research, psychedelic policy, and evidence-based public health. How to Find James Hosobe: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hosobe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5ht2andjames/ Resources Mentioned Roland Griffiths' Johns Hopkins research on psychedelic experiences Griffiths, R.R., Richards, W.A., McCann, U., & Jesse, R. (2006). Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance. Psychopharmacology, 187(3), 268–283. Griffiths, R., Richards, W., Johnson, M., McCann, U., & Jesse, R. (2008). Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 22(6), 621–632. Robin Carhart-Harris's REBUS model (Relaxed Beliefs Under pSychedelics) Carhart-Harris, R.L. & Friston, K.J. (2019). REBUS and the anarchic brain: Toward a unified model of the brain action of psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews, 71(3), 316–344. Michael Pollan, How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence (Penguin Press, 2018) Dr. Gül Dölen's research on the "critical period" (Johns Hopkins / UC Berkeley) — note: corrects the name mentioned in the episode audio, "Ben Gould Dolan," to Dr. Gül Dölen Nardou, R., Sawyer, E., Song, Y.J., et al., & Dölen, G. (2023). Psychedelics reopen the social reward learning critical period. Nature, 618(7966), 790–798. David Olson's work on non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens (UC Davis) Cameron, L.P., Tombari, R.J., Lu, J., et al., & Olson, D.E. (2021). A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogue with therapeutic potential. Nature, 589(7842), 474–479. STAY CONNECTED! 🔔 Subscribe Now & Follow the Show Never miss an episode! Discover more information, tips, expert care, and agingwisdom at theBrainLove Community YouTube Channel: / @brainlovecommunity 💬 Share This Episode Know someone who needs to hear this? → Share this episode with a friend, family member, or care partner. 💡Learn More About BrainLove and Join our Email List Discover our innovative approach to Alzheimer’s, brain aging, and resilient care.→ Visit https://brainlove.health/ 🧠 Book Your Free BrainLove Discovery Call Meet with us to explore how BrainLove can support you or your loved one. → Schedule now: https://calendly.com/drcabral-mybrainlove/20min 💙 Follow Us on Social Media Be part of the BrainLove movement. → Instagram: @drdanibrainlove → Facebook: @drdanibrainlove 🎙️Want to Suggest a Topic? We’d love to hear from you. → Email us at drcabral@brainlove.health
