An 80-year-old woman with advanced Alzheimer’s disease, who for years had lost basic daily functioning, appeared to temporarily regain part of these abilities after a high dose of psilocybin, the substance found in certain types of mushrooms.

According to a case study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, the woman had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for about 10 years. Before the intervention, she spoke very little, needed help walking, had no bladder control, and was largely dependent on caregivers.

After receiving a high dose of psilocybin, researchers observed a temporary improvement in functions that were considered lost due to the disease. About 19 hours later, the patient began speaking about her life, whereas previously her speech had been limited to one or two words. In the following days, she appeared to walk better, dress herself, smile, maintain eye contact, and recognize family members.

A notable improvement was also reported in bladder control, as the woman had suffered from incontinence for years. After the intervention, according to the report, periods without incontinence episodes were recorded, even during the night.

Not a treatment

The researchers themselves are cautious. As they emphasize, this case does not mean that psilocybin cures or reverses Alzheimer’s disease. It involves only one patient, with no control group, and the findings cannot be generalized.

What the study suggests is something different: that even in advanced stages of the disease, the brain may retain certain “hidden” functional capacities that might, under specific conditions, be temporarily activated.

What psilocybin is, in simple terms

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring substance found in certain types of mushrooms. In recent years it has been scientifically studied for its effects on the brain, particularly in relation to communication between different brain networks and the brain’s ability to form new connections.

In the case of the 80-year-old woman, the researchers do not claim that the substance “repaired” the brain. Instead, they raise the question of whether it may have temporarily helped certain brain circuits reconnect functionally, allowing the patient to express abilities that appeared lost.