Chemistry
Neuroplasticity
The brain's ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning, experience, or injury.
Recent research suggests that psychedelics may promote neuroplasticity, with studies showing increased dendritic spine density and synaptogenesis following psilocybin and other psychedelic administration. This mechanism may partly explain their therapeutic potential for depression and PTSD, as these conditions are sometimes associated with reduced neural flexibility. The term "psychoplastogen" has been proposed for substances that promote this kind of structural neural change.