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Neurobiology of maternal care in mammals: hormonal influences, stress effects & a study on psilocybin's unexpected effects during the postpartum period.

Topics Discussed:

Maternal care behavior in rodents: Nursing, pup retrieval, grooming, and nest-building, essential for altricial pups’ survival; conserved across mammals but varies by species.
Hormonal changes in pregnancy: Estradiol and progesterone surge then drop at birth, crossing the blood-brain barrier to enable infant attraction and care via gene expression and neuroplasticity.
Brain circuitry for parenting: Medial preoptic area acts as a central hub, coordinating motivation and sensory inputs; present in both sexes but activated differently by hormones and experience.
Stress impacts on mothers: Social stressors like male intruders dysregulate care, leading to frantic behaviors and avoidance; models human psychosocial stress linked to postpartum mood disorders.
Sex differences in pup care: Mothers groom male pups more, influencing sexual behaviors, which effects future behavior.
Psilocybin in postpartum mice: Single dose increased anxiety in mothers, showed no antidepressant effects, and transferred via milk, causing long-term anhedonia and impairments in offspring as adults.
Serotonin system development: Early exposure to serotonergic drugs like psilocybin or SSRIs alters lifelong behavior, highlighting sensitive periods in brain reorganization.

Practical Takeaways:

Reduce postpartum stress through social support to enhance maternal bonding and minimize mood disorder risks.
Approach psychedelics cautiously during postpartum due to potential anxiety increases and offspring effects via milk.
Recognize hormonal shifts heighten sensitivity to infant cues, aiding natural caregiving instincts.
Monitor environmental factors like food availability or threats that could disrupt parental behaviors in high-stress scenarios.

About the guest: Danielle Stolzenberg, PhD is an associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, where her lab studies the neurobiology of maternal care.

Reference Paper:

Study: Psilocybin during the postpartum period induces long-lasting adverse effects in both mothers and offspring

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Stress & Psilocybin: Effects on Maternal Care & Offspring Development | Danielle Stolzenberg | 270

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