Advisor(s)
Phillip Zoladz
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2026 10:50 AM
Abstract
Single treatments with psychedelics have demonstrated rapid, long-lasting antidepressant effects. However, psychedelics often produce unfavorable psychoactive effects that could worsen existing psychological distress. Thus, we compared the effects of psilocybin and the related tryptamine, norbaeocystin, on anxiety-like behavior in male and female rats. In Experiment 1, rats were treated with 1 mg/kg psilocybin (PSIL), 1 mg/kg norbaeocystin (NOR), or vehicle 30 min before a 5-min trial on an elevated plus maze (EPM) or in an open field test (OFT). On the EPM, PSIL led to decreased open arm time and fewer arm entries in males and females. NOR led to decreased open arm time in males, while having no impact on female behavior. PSIL led to decreased time in the center of the open field in males and decreased distance traveled in males and females. NOR led to decreased time in the center of the open field in males, while having no impact on female behavior. In Experiment 2, we assessed whether the anxiogenic effects of PSIL and NOR would persist for 24 hr. Rats were administered PSIL, NOR, or vehicle and tested on the EPM 24 hr later. Analyses revealed no effects of PSIL or NOR on EPM behavior. Our results indicate that PSIL exerts acute anxiogenic effects in both males and females, while NOR selectively increases anxiety-like behavior in males. These sex differences may be an important consideration in identifying which psychedelic-like compounds are most effective in treating psychological conditions in both sexes.
Recommended Citation
Savini, Marisa J.; King, Kylie M.; Molnar, Noelle M.; Schneider, Evelynn J.; Straub, Savannah E.; Parker, Joe; Puppel, Lillianna P.; Al-Olimat, Aleece K.; Bach, Allison M.; Jones, Andrew; and Zoladz, Phillip R., "Psilocybin and the related tryptamine, norbaeocystin, exert acute anxiogenic effects that depend on sex" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 5.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/5
Open Access
Available to all.
Included in
Behavioral Neurobiology Commons, Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Biological Psychology Commons, Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Other Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons
Psilocybin and the related tryptamine, norbaeocystin, exert acute anxiogenic effects that depend on sex
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Single treatments with psychedelics have demonstrated rapid, long-lasting antidepressant effects. However, psychedelics often produce unfavorable psychoactive effects that could worsen existing psychological distress. Thus, we compared the effects of psilocybin and the related tryptamine, norbaeocystin, on anxiety-like behavior in male and female rats. In Experiment 1, rats were treated with 1 mg/kg psilocybin (PSIL), 1 mg/kg norbaeocystin (NOR), or vehicle 30 min before a 5-min trial on an elevated plus maze (EPM) or in an open field test (OFT). On the EPM, PSIL led to decreased open arm time and fewer arm entries in males and females. NOR led to decreased open arm time in males, while having no impact on female behavior. PSIL led to decreased time in the center of the open field in males and decreased distance traveled in males and females. NOR led to decreased time in the center of the open field in males, while having no impact on female behavior. In Experiment 2, we assessed whether the anxiogenic effects of PSIL and NOR would persist for 24 hr. Rats were administered PSIL, NOR, or vehicle and tested on the EPM 24 hr later. Analyses revealed no effects of PSIL or NOR on EPM behavior. Our results indicate that PSIL exerts acute anxiogenic effects in both males and females, while NOR selectively increases anxiety-like behavior in males. These sex differences may be an important consideration in identifying which psychedelic-like compounds are most effective in treating psychological conditions in both sexes.