Biomarker results from my magic mushrooms experiment

In my blog post, I shared why my team and I began testing psilocybin as a potential longevity therapy, the science that led us there, and the fully quantified protocol we’re running across 249 biomarkers.

This is blog post 2 in a 3-part series. If you missed it, you can read the first blog post here. 

We are evaluating psilocybin's effects on inflammation, neuroplasticity, and overall biological aging.

The early results surprised us. 

What we’ve found so far…

Inflammation 

My systemic inflammation levels dropped >35%, from elite to undetectable. 

Timing 
Inflammation 
Pre-mushrooms
0.23mg/dL
Post-mushrooms 
< detection limit 0.15mg/dL

Brain activity

We measured my brain on mushrooms. We saw…

• strong decrease in my brain’s control center (prefrontal + premotor cortex). In this context, the reduction is associated with decreased rumination and increased cognitive flexibility.
• strong increase in sensory, auditory, and speech integration
• higher entropic brain patterns: open, flexible, less predictable, exploratory
• brain network patterns resembling a youthful state vs. aged and rigid

Cortisol 

Psilocybin produced a large, expected cortisol rise at peak effect. Clinical studies show a 100-300% surge in cortisol between 90-120 min after dosing. My data followed the same shape: low baseline, sharp mid-day peak, full evening normalization. 

Cortisol is a stress hormone, but it's also part of normal circadian biology. My increase wasn’t harmful stress. 

This data confirms:

• I had a normal adrenal reaction to psilocybin
• a fast system reset (healthy HPA function)
• no prolonged stress response

It also shows that the experience was metabolically contained. There wasn't a lingering stress imprint, downstream damage, or hidden physiological cost. 

Taken together, this data suggests that a single high-dose psilocybin experience can transiently push my biology into a low-inflammation, low-stress state that’s theoretically favorable for longevity.

Trip report

My experience on mushrooms hints at longevity benefits, too. 
The experience was exhilarating. Positive in every way. I felt like a kid finding and exploring a new playground.

I experienced the sense of touch with awe. I felt the same sensory joy in moving my body. My sense of hearing was equally as elevated. The music I listened to hit more fully than I have memory. 

My facilitator gave me some water in a glass jar. The visuals of the light reflections, water dynamics, and sensory experience of holding the glass were so fascinating that I forgot to drink. 

One of the most satisfying things I discovered was taking huge, deep breaths. 

After peaking and coming down, I ate a salad. It tasted like the most delicious food I’d ever eaten. The flavor exploded in my mouth. I savored every bite. 

It felt like mushrooms restored my perception to youthful levels, returning them to factory settings and dissolving my aged numbness. 

This psychedelic state, and the rewiring of the brain, might give longevity benefits alongside physical changes, like reductions in inflammation. 

Final thoughts

We live-streamed the entire 2nd dose. You can watch the highlights here. 

Next blog post I’ll share:

• our biggest mushroom breakthrough (a first in-human observation)
• world-first thermal imaging data 

Note: I took magic mushrooms under medical supervision, in a legal setting, and with a professional facilitator. This blog post reflects my personal experience and interpretation of early-stage research. The information shared is exploratory and educational in nature, not medical advice, and not intended as guidance or recommendations for others. If you're curious for yourself, speak with your doctor.