Can Psychedelics Improve Memory? Exploring Their Potential in Cognitive Enhancement

Key Takeaways

• Can psychedelics improve memory? In theory, yes; in practice, research provides us with mixed evidence, and the memory-enhancing capabilities strongly depend on the context.
• Some newer research indicates that psychedelics could be used in therapies for the elderly. What’s more, it’s even possible that they might prevent, slow down or combat Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.
• We need further research into psychedelics and memory; currently, there’s just not enough evidence to determine the full extent to which psychedelic mushrooms and the like can be beneficial to your memory.

The Mechanisms of Psychedelics: Neuroplasticity and Connectivity

Let’s begin with the mechanism behind psychedelics. How do they work, and how is it connected with memory?

Psychedelics such as psilocybin (or rather its active compound: psilocin), LSD, and DMT interact primarily with serotonin receptors, notably the 5-HT2A receptor. This interaction induces a cascade of neural activity that enhances neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections in response to learning and experience, even in cases of brain injury. Enhanced neuroplasticity has been linked to improved cognitive functions, including memory retention and recall, so it is likely that psychedelics can improve memory.

A recent study highlighted in The Atlantic (2023) described the effects of psychedelics on the Default Mode Network (DMN), a network of brain regions associated with self-referential thinking and mind-wandering. By temporarily disrupting the DMN, psychedelics promote novel neural pathways and increase connectivity between disparate brain regions. This may facilitate memory consolidation and access to previously inaccessible memories.

In the end, from the scientific point of view, psychedelics should be able to enhance your cognitive function, including memory. However, research is still limited. We can make inferences given the known mechanisms, but until more research is conducted on memory and cognitive functions specifically, there are still some unknown elements to this topic. It’s similar to lemon tekking. We know that it should work; we have testimonials confirming that it works, but there’s insufficient research on the practice to confirm definitively that it works.

The Complex Relationship Between Psychedelics and Memory

While the general hypothesis suggests psychedelics could improve memory, their effects are nuanced and context-dependent. According to an article in PsyPost, the findings are paradoxical:

• in some contexts, psychedelics may enhance memory,
• in other contexts, psychedelics may impede it. (2024)

Why is it so? According to the theory, it all goes down to how psychedelic drugs work in the brain. They shift your attention from the external world to your internal processes, which may result in:

• not encoding new memories since they rely on external stimuli—what happens around you,
• unlocking repressed or inaccessible memories inside you.

This paradox highlights the complexity of psychedelics and memory, but could their ability to unlock neuroplasticity make them a tool for addressing age-related cognitive decline? Let’s explore further.

Psychedelics and Age-Related Cognitive Decline

The effects of psychedelics on cognitive function and memory open a new doorway for a wider range of therapies. For instance, recent studies published in the University of Wisconsin’s Institute on Aging look into psychedelic-based therapies as a way to prevent cognitive decline while aging. What’s more, the same studies concluded that psychedelics might help prevent depression in older adults. In the case of microdosing, there is evidence showing potential benefits on focus and work performance as well.

To add to that, the same research indicated that psychedelics could stimulate the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein crucial for synaptic health and memory. (2024) According to these researchers, this means that we could potentially use psychedelic mushrooms to protect people against Alzheimer’s disease and other instances of dementia, and potentially even Parkinson’s disease.

In the end, there is a lot to explore about psychedelics and memory, but there are indications that psychedelics may prove invaluable for cognitive health in the future.