Psilocybin extends lifespan in aged mice, and this has prompted extensive media speculation about possible human longevity benefits. We examined mortality among prominent psychedelic personalities, researchers, and advocates who claimed psychedelic use (n = 11) and compared them with cancer (n = 12) and aging researchers (n = 5). All groups exceeded population life expectancy, reflecting the effect of socioeconomic advantage on lifespan, but psychedelic personalities did not outlive cancer and aging researchers. These findings highlight the need for rigorous mechanistic and epidemiological studies before inferring human anti-aging effects of psychedelics.
Leonard Lerer (Fri,) studied this question.