Rankings / Cognitive — Nootropics

Psilocybin

Cognitive · Classic psychedelic / 5-HT2A agonist

Tier B-

psychedelicbdnfcontrolled-substance
6.2 / 10
Tier B-
Ev 8.0 Bn 6.5 Sf 5.0 Ax 1.0

What this is

Compass COMP360 Ph3 COMP005 (June 2025) met primary endpoint (-3.6 MADRS diff, p<0.001); COMP006 (Feb 2026) confirmed durability at 26 weeks; NDA rolling submission targeted Q4 2026 with possible approval late 2026/early 2027. Microdosing trials consistently fail to beat placebo despite anecdotes. Griffiths/Carhart-Harris foundational work.

Mechanism

Prodrug to psilocin; 5-HT2A receptor agonist (primary); promotes neuroplasticity via BDNF, dendritic spine formation; acute ego dissolution; default mode network modulation

Dose & route

1-5 g dried mushrooms (recreational); 25 mg synthetic psilocybin (clinical); 50-500 mg 'microdose'

This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.