Magic mushrooms are better known for producing hallucinations and altering people’s sense of reality than for treating brain diseases. Most people associate them with tripping, rather than Alzheimer’s disease.

But a report on an individual patient has prompted scientists to ask whether psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, could have unexpected effects on the ageing brain.

The report describes changes observed in a Japanese-American woman in her 80s with advanced Alzheimer’s disease after she received psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Dementia is a broad term for symptoms that affect memory, thinking and everyday independence. Alzheimer’s disease is its most common cause.

The woman had experienced progressive decline for a decade. For the previous five years, she had largely communicated using single words and relied heavily on others for everyday care. She also had difficulty walking and dressing herself and experienced chronic urinary incontinence.

She received 5g of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The exact amount of psilocybin is unclear because mushroom potency varies. During the experience, she sweated heavily and entered a prolonged sleep-like state. Around 19 hours later, she began speaking spontaneously and recalling memories from her own life.

Over the following days and weeks, caregivers reported that she seemed more alert, recognised family members, walked more independently, began dressing herself and regained urinary continence. One month later, she received a second supervised session involving 3g of mushrooms and again appeared more expressive and agile.

The case has drawn comparisons with neurologist Oliver Sacks’s 1973 book Awakenings, which described patients who unexpectedly regained lost abilities after treatment with the Parkinson’s drug L-dopa, also known as levodopa. The diseases and drugs are entirely different. Both raise questions about how much function may remain hidden within a damaged brain.

However, the report does not show that psychedelics reverse Alzheimer’s disease.

It involved one person, rather than a controlled clinical trial. Her diagnosis was based on her clinical history, rather than confirmed using biomarkers: biological signs of Alzheimer’s disease that can be detected using tests such as brain scans or analysis of spinal fluid. There was no comparison group and no standardised testing of memory and thinking before and after treatment. Observations were largely based on reports from caregivers and family members.

Alzheimer’s disease involves abnormal proteins, inflammation, damage to connections between brain cells and, ultimately, the death of neurons, or nerve cells. There is no evidence that psilocybin reversed these underlying disease processes.

The authors suggest that psilocybin may temporarily have altered communication between surviving brain networks: groups of brain regions that work together. This could have made some abilities more accessible for a limited period. Because the report did not include brain scans, this remains an untested hypothesis.

Scientists are interested in this possibility partly because of the brain’s ability to adapt.

For much of the 20th century, scientists believed that the adult brain was relatively fixed. It is now known that the brain can reorganise itself throughout life. New connections can form and networks can change in response to experience.

This process, known as neuroplasticity, supports learning, memory and recovery from injury. It generally becomes less efficient with ageing and dementia.

Psilocybin acts mainly through a serotonin receptor called 5-HT2A. Serotonin is a chemical messenger involved in mood, perception and other functions. Receptors are proteins that allow cells to respond to chemical signals.

Studies in animals suggest that psilocybin can encourage the formation of dendritic spines: tiny protrusions on nerve cells that help them communicate. Psychedelics may also affect signalling pathways involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, a protein involved in maintaining nerve-cell connections.

Brain-imaging studies suggest that psilocybin temporarily changes communication between large-scale brain networks. Some networks become less rigidly separated, while familiar patterns of activity are disrupted.

Over the past decade, clinical trials have produced promising results in depression. Smaller studies have also examined psilocybin-assisted therapy for anxiety and some forms of addiction.

Other research has explored possible anti-inflammatory effects. This is relevant because chronic inflammation is thought to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders: conditions in which nerve cells gradually become damaged or die.

Laboratory and animal research therefore suggests that psychedelics may influence nerve-cell growth, inflammation and brain-network activity. Whether these effects occur in people with Alzheimer’s disease remains unknown.

Separate research at the University of California, Berkeley, is examining how psilocybin affects cognitively healthy adults aged 60 to 85. The study is not testing a dementia treatment. Participants will receive synthetic psilocybin and undergo brain scans and tests of memory and thinking.

There are important reasons for caution.

Psilocybin is not risk-free. Psychedelic experiences can be frightening and disorienting, particularly for vulnerable people. Older adults may face increased risks of falls, heart and circulation problems and interactions with medications.

The woman experienced heavy sweating, suspected high body temperature and a prolonged sleep-like state. The absence of lasting complications does not establish that the approach is safe.

It would be dangerous to interpret the report as a reason to experiment with psychedelic mushrooms outside a closely supervised research or clinical setting.

The case raises a possibility: even after years of severe cognitive decline, some abilities may remain temporarily accessible. Whether psilocybin played a direct role, how it might have done so and whether similar effects could be reproduced in other people remain unknown. Answering those questions will require controlled research.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our
articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local
services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local
community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need
as much support as possible during these challenging times.

Officers are at the scene and a diversion is in place

The M11 will be closed for “some time” after a “serious” lorry crash on the M11 on Friday, June 12. Cambridgeshire Police are at the scene of a crash near to the A505 at Duxford.

The crash happened just after 12pm involving a lorry and two other vehicles. The southbound carriageway will remain closed for some time, according to the force.

Police have warned motorists to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. Anyone with information, including dash cam footage, is urged to report this online quoting incident 219 of June 12. Alternatively, call 101.

Traffic monitoring site Inrix, said: “M11 Southbound closed, queueing traffic for three miles due to serious accident, two lorries and a van involved from J10 A505 (Duxford) to J9 A11 (Saffron Walden). Congestion to onlookers opposite, and the A505 across the M11 towards Pampisford.”

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “Officers are currently at the scene of a serious collision on the M11, near to A505 at Duxford. The collision involves a HGV and two other vehicles and took place at just after midday.

“The southbound carriageway is closed, and is likely to be so for some time. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.”

National Highways has advised drivers to follow the following diversion signposted by the hollow square symbol:

• Exit the M11 at J10 and take the 1st exit on to the A505;
• At the roundabout with the A1301, take the 3rd exit on to the A1301;
• Travel on the A1301 heading towards Stumps Cross;
• At Stumps Cross continue over 2 mini roundabouts and follow the entry slip to rejoin the M11 at J9A;
• Continue on the M11 to merge onto J9.

A spokesperson said: “If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.”

During the first evidence session this week, Thomas Ableman, former Director of Strategy and Innovation at Transport for London (TfL), told Assembly Members that autonomous passenger vehicles can make a “valuable contribution” to the MTS – but only if the correct regulation is in place, in time.

Of course, Soho first comes to mind. Not just a hub for queer life, but also once a destination within the nightlife industry. Every single day of the week was jam-packed with people and excitement. Funny thing is maybe only 20-odd years ago, it wasn’t a desirable residential area. It was debauched. It was where you went to let off some steam, whether on the dancefloor, at the bar or… a number of other activities that I dare not mention here.

In a statement, the South African government commended Bafana Bafana for their “spirited performance”, adding that while the final score was not what the nation had hoped for, the team “represented South Africa with unity, determination, and a sense of pride on the world’s biggest stage”.

Today, the art world paid tribute to David Hockney after his death aged 88.

Hockney, who was one of the UK’s most important and influential artists, passed away peacefully in his home yesterday.

Following the announcement, there was an outpouring of grief from friends and fans alike.

However, the BBC has been criticised for making a huge mistake while reporting the artist’s death.

During the 1 pm news bulletin, a graphic was displayed on screen which read ‘David Hockney resigns’.

The mistake was almost immediately noticed by viewers who questioned how the news organisation had allowed such a silly error to be broadcast.

Officers were called to a property on Eastgrove Avenue at around 9.20pm on Wednesday, June 10, after reports of a suspected arson.

Emergency services attended and safely evacuated all occupants from the address. No injuries were reported.

The man remains in custody for questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Sharples said: “Our investigation is progressing, and we now have a suspect in custody who is being questioned by our officers.

“We will not accept incidents like this in our communities; we take this very seriously.

“Those found responsible will be brought to justice.

(Image: NQ)

“As our enquiries continue, we urge the public to please continue to submit information, CCTV, or dashcam footage to police.

“You can do this by calling 101 quoting log 3561 of 10/06/2026 or contact us via the LiveChat function at gmp.police.uk.

“Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.

No further details have yet been released about the circumstances leading up to the incident.

The family was left in shock and without sleep following the attack.

The family has received support from MPs, councillors, organisations and many more in the neighbourhood.

Hassan Patel, the homeowner and local Imam, said: “We, as a family, are devastated by the serious and callous arson attack that targeted our home on 10.6.2026 at 9.15pm.

(Image: NQ)

“It was still daylight at that time. This was clearly a dangerous and deliberate act that put lives at risk.

“It has caused significant damage to our house and emotional distress to our family including our children.

“The family as a whole and I as a professional individual have always maintained peace and harmony with all communities.

“I am an active citizen of Bolton and proactively engage with people all faiths and no faith. The family is horrified as to why we were targeted.

“We are grateful that no one was seriously injured, and we wish to thank the emergency services for their swift response in bringing the incident under control.”

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LA LAGUNA, Spain (AP) — Pope Leo XIV warned people smugglers on Friday that they will face God’s wrath for exploiting the desperation of migrants, demanding they stop and repent during his final day in this epicenter of the African migration route to Europe.

For the second day in a row in the Canary Islands, the American pope insisted on the inherent dignity and rights of migrants and demanded they be welcomed and integrated into society, in some of his strongest comments on the politically divisive issue.

“Break those chains and free those you hold in bondage,” Leo said in a message to human traffickers that he delivered during a meeting with humanitarian aid organizations that help migrants on the island of Tenerife.

Leo wrapped up his weeklong trip to Spain in the Spanish archipelago, which is closer to Africa than the Iberian Peninsula and is a key point of entry for migrants who make the perilous Atlantic crossing from West Africa.

He is fulfilling a wish of Pope Francis to visit the islands to commemorate the thousands of lives lost at sea. He is also drawing attention to the Catholic Church’s biblically-mandated mantra to “welcome the stranger,” amid anti-migrant sentiment in Europe and the Trump administration’s mass deportation program in his native United States.

The Canary Islands have long been a stepping stone for migrants trying to reach Europe from West Africa and Morocco.

While people smugglers and human traffickers operate the Atlantic route, there are also many self-organized boats of migrants, including many former fishermen from Senegal who were left without income due to overfishing in recent years.

Migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands peaked in 2024 at nearly 47,000. They have fallen dramatically, with over 3,000 people landing there in the first five months of 2026.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Leo’s gesture mimicked the one Francis made in 2013 when he visited Lampedusa, Sicily, another flashpoint in Europe’s migration drama, and denounced the “globalization of indifference” that the world showed asylum seekers.

But in a sign Leo is making the papacy his own, the 70-year-old pope has added a new gesture to his repertoire: After a onetime migrant offered his testimony during Leo’s encounter Friday, the pope did the viral “6-7” hand gesture that’s popular with young people as he joked alongside him. That earned the pope cheers and applause from the crowd.

Leo meets with migrants at reception center

In the Canary Islands and in remarks on the Spanish mainland, Leo reaffirmed the right of migrants to flee but also to stay home, demanding their countries of origin provide the necessary economic and security conditions. He shamed European countries that turn their back on migrants’ plights, and said Christian cannot remain indifferent.

On Friday, he noted that for the Catholic Church, the process of integrating migrants into a community can become a chance at spreading the faith, “without imposing” it and in respect of the migrants’ own beliefs.

Leo opened the final day of his trip by visiting the Las Raíces migrant camp. Leo drew a round of applause when he went off-script to tell migrants that he would speak in French and English, the language spoken by many of the people living in the camp.

One woman told him of the desperation that drove her to leave her homeland and family, the trauma of the crossings, and her gratitude at finding safety and a new life.

“We aren’t asking for privileges. We aren’t asking for compassion. We just want respect, humanity and the chance to live with dignity,” said the woman, identified as Bousso Diouf.

Next month, on July 4, the American pope will spend U.S. Independence Day on the island of Lampedusa, where Francis in 2013 first denounced the “globalization of indifference” the world shows migrants.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Mercedes driver George Russell set the pace from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in first practice at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

Russell was 0.203 seconds quicker than Piastri, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

The session was marked by six junior drivers replacing the regulars as part of the mandatory requirement for teams to use at least two practice sessions a year for up and coming drivers.

McLaren’s Leonardo Fornaroli was the fastest, in fifth place, ahead of Estonian Paul Aron in an Audi, on loan from his regular role as Alpine reserve driver.

Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson was seventh, separated from team-mate Arvid Lindblad by Dino Beganovic, driving Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari.