Study Shows Psilocybin Reduces Aggression in Fish, Opening New Research Avenues
A recent study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience has revealed that psilocybin, the psychoactive component found in magic mushrooms, can reduce aggression in fish. The research, led by Dayna Forsyth at Acadia University, focused on the mangrove rivulus fish, known for its aggressive behavior. In the study, fish were exposed to a low dose of psilocybin, which resulted in a noticeable decrease in aggressive actions such as sudden darting at peers. However, other less aggressive behaviors, like lateral and head-on displays, remained unchanged. This study is significant as it is the first to demonstrate that psilocybin can reduce aggression in any animal model, providing a new perspective on the behavioral effects of psychoactive compounds. 
