Welcome to the Weekend Pulse, your weekly look at the breakthroughs shaping how we live longer—and better. From psychedelic therapies that may reverse brain damage to new ways of measuring your biological age, here are the top five stories we’re tracking this week:
Top 5 longevity stories of the week
🍄 Can psilocybin heal the brain? This NHL champion thinks so
Former NHL player Daniel Carcillo shared how high-dose psilocybin helped reverse his concussion-related brain damage—a transformation backed by research on neuroinflammation, tau protein clearance, and even lifespan extension in animal studies.
👇 Read the recap below or watch the replay here🌄 Montana’s big biotech bet
Montana is positioning itself as a new hub for experimental medicine—drawing startups focused on gene therapy, age reversal, and other cutting-edge treatments. Could Big Sky Country become the next Silicon Valley for longevity?
👉 Read the Wall Street Journal story🕊️ What birds can teach us about aging
Despite high metabolisms, birds live unusually long lives. A $1.3M Keck grant will help Vanderbilt researchers explore what gives them their longevity edge—and what that could mean for humans.
👉 Explore the research🫀 How old is your heart (and muscles)?
Two new tools are helping people get a clearer picture of how their body is aging:Heart Risk Calculator: Estimate your cardiovascular age.
Muscle Loss Predictor: Detect sarcopenia risk before symptoms appear.
🧘 Tai chi’s subtle strength
Tai Chi may look slow, but studies show it improves balance, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the heart—even for people with heart failure. Whether you’re brand new or returning to the practice, it’s a low-impact way to support long-term health.
👉 Learn more about the trend
🍄 Could mushrooms be the next pillar of longevity?
Former NHL player and two-time Stanley Cup champion Daniel Carcillo spent a decade battling on the ice—and paying the price for it. Years of concussions and head trauma left him with debilitating symptoms: balance and vision problems, severe brain fog, hormonal dysfunction, anxiety, and depression. Conventional treatments, including pharmaceuticals and intensive rehab, failed to deliver relief.
Then, in 2019, Carcillo turned to psilocybin.
Carcillo explored how mushrooms can reshape brain chemistry.
A Remarkable Recovery
After two high-dose sessions, Carcillo experienced measurable changes. His brain scans normalized, inflammatory markers cleared, and his free testosterone increased by 1,200%. “It reversed all signs of brain damage,” he shared. “My neurologist was dumbfounded.”
Carcillo’s personal transformation mirrors emerging research on psilocybin’s potential for brain health and longevity.
What the science suggests
🧠 Neuroinflammation & brain repair:
Studies from Northeastern University show psilocybin may reduce neuroinflammation, reverse markers of brain injury, and even clear tau proteins—tangled proteins linked to Alzheimer’s and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).🔬 Mechanism of action:
Psilocybin binds to 5-HT2A receptors (mostly in the gut, our “second brain”) and temporarily quiets the brain’s default mode network, increasing communication between brain regions. This opens a four-week window of neuroplasticity—a critical opportunity to replace destructive patterns with healthier behaviors.
For more context on how psilocybin supports neuroplasticity, inflammation reduction, and Alzheimer’s research, see our newsletter, “Beyond the High”.
A therapeutic approach
Carcillo emphasized that psilocybin is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Legal therapeutic use is currently available in Oregon and Colorado, with strict screening protocols to exclude individuals with conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
He also noted that integration—through therapy, community support, and lifestyle changes—is critical to sustaining the benefits.
While high doses can be transformative, microdosing (~ 100 mg) offers sub-perceptual benefits, like mood elevation and anti-inflammatory effects, without hallucinations.
The bigger picture
Carcillo now sees psilocybin as a potential pillar of longevity, alongside nutrition, exercise, sleep, and social connection. “The medicine opens the door,” he said. “But the real work—and the real magic—is in what you do after.”
🩺 Want to Thrive at 85?
It starts with the right bloodwork.
Most blood tests miss what really matters, so Dr. Erin Faules from Wild Health is going to set the record straight. Faules is joining Livelong for a live session on August 12 at 11 am ET to teach you which metrics have the most influence on how long and how well you will live.
We’ll cover:
💪 Muscle strength
🔥 Chronic inflammation
🫀 Cardiovascular risks
💤 Sleep quality
🤸 Metabolic health
✅ Bring your questions—we’ll answer them live. Or submit yours in advance here.
🎥 Video of the Week
Dr. Andrew Steele: Ageless Habits That Extend Lifespan
This week’s pick: Andrew Steele live at the Livelong Summit. The physicist-turned-longevity-expert makes the case for why now is the moment to double down on aging research—and how we get from petri dish to practical solutions.
Have a great weekend,
The information provided about wellness and health is for general informational and educational purposes only. We are not licensed medical professionals, and the content here should not be considered medical advice. Talk to a doctor before trying any of these suggestions.
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