Magic mushroom ingredient takes the fight out of aggressive fish

A psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms appears to have an unexpected effect: calming highly aggressive fish. Researchers discovered that low doses of psilocybin significantly reduced aggressive attacks in mangrove rivulus fish without disrupting their normal social interactions. The findings suggest psilocybin may selectively calm escalating aggression rather than simply suppressing all behavior.

Magic mushroom ingredient takes the fight out of aggressive fish. Magic mushroom ingredient takes the fight out of aggressive fish Science News from research organizations Magic mushroom ingredient takes the fight out of aggressive fish Scientists discovered that the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms can calm highly aggressive fish without disrupting their normal social behavior. Most mushrooms containing this compound belong to the gilled mushroom genus Psilocybe.

In mammals, psilocybin interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, influencing emotions and behaviors such as mood, appetite, and aggression. Scientists still know relatively little about how the substance affects social interactions among animals. To investigate this question, researchers in Canada examined the effects of psilocybin on the amphibious mangrove rivulus fish ( Kryptolebias marmoratus).

Their findings, published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, suggest that even a brief exposure to a low dose can significantly reduce aggressive behavior without disrupting normal social interactions.