The Menstrual Cycle Promotes Neuroplasticity
Implications for psychedelic research
A recent study published in Nature utilized MRI technology to measure structural changes in the female brain across the menstrual cycle.
Following up on animal studies that suggest estradiol and progesterone are potent modulators of structural changes in the brain, also known as neuroplasticity, researchers observed structural changes in the human female brain across the menstrual cycle that were consistent with observations in animal studies.
Research findings suggest the female brain rapidly rewires connections between brain regions in response to fluctuating ovarian hormones:
“Our results suggest that ovarian hormones rapidly alter structural brain plasticity during the reproductive years and that hippocampal and MTL subregions may be differentially sensitive to hormones.”
Zsido, R.G., Williams, A.N., Barth, C. et al. Ultra-high-field 7T MRI reveals changes in human medial temporal lobe volume in female adults during menstrual cycle. Nat. Mental Health 1, 761–771 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-023-00125-w
Much like the psychedelic experience, the menstrual cycle is sometimes referred to as a death and rebirth process. Perhaps neuroplasticity across the menstrual cycle can help explain the psychological death and rebirth that some women experience during their cycles.
Psychedelic Medicine and Neuroplasticity
Psychedelic ego death speaks to the phenomena of psychological death and rebirth that can occur with psychedelic medicines, enabling the individual to transcend outdated, negative belief systems.
Psychedelic research points to the long lasting neuroplastic effects of psychedelics to enhance and improve a person’s ability to create new, more positive thought patterns and is believed to underpin the therapeutic potential of psychedelic medicines.
While research on psychedelic induced neuroplasticity is ongoing, a recent paper published in Nature suggests that psychedelics promote neuroplasticity by binding to BDNF receptors.
Brain derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, is known for it’s key role in neuroplasticity, especially in brain regions related to learning and memory.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Brain derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF is also implicated in premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, a female specific psychiatric condition related to the menstrual cycle.
Research suggests that women with PMDD have higher levels of BDNF during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle - the symptomatic window for PMDD - compared to controls:
“Participants with PMDD had significantly higher luteal serum BDNF levels than the control subjects. The serum BDNF levels were significantly higher in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase in women with PMDD. The difference in the serum BDNF levels between the luteal and follicular phases were significantly higher in the PMDD patients than in the control.”
Oral E, Kirkan TS, Yildirim A, Kotan Z, Cansever Z, Ozcan H, Aliyev E, Gulec M. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor differences between the luteal and follicular phases in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2015 May-Jun;37(3):266-72. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2015.03.001. Epub 2015 Mar 11. PMID: 25799087.
Implications for Psychedelic Research
Due to limited research, it’s unclear how psychedelics interact with the female reproductive system, but according to recent findings on neuroplasticity and the menstrual cycle, in addition to the role of ovarian hormones in the serotonin system, it is necessary to include the menstrual cycle in psychedelic research.
Mental health conditions disproportionately affect women and while there is tremendous therapeutic potential for psychedelic medicines to treat mental health conditions in women, dose adjustments may need to be considered for the female population across menstrual cycle phases.
Women with PMDD may experience an increase in the bioavailability of psychedelic substances through BDNF receptor binding and SERT density and may require further dose adjustments during the luteal phase.
Research on the menstrual cycle and psychedelics can inform a more thorough understanding of how psychedelics promote neuroplasticity in both men and women, inform new treatment options for female specific conditions like PMDD and enhance the safety profile of psychedelic medicines for women in general.