LSD flattens the hierarchy of directed information flow in fast whole-brain dynamics.

Summary

LSD fundamentally reconfigures the brain's internal command structure, shifting from a hierarchical system to a more egalitarian network. Researchers explored if this compound could reduce the brain's typical "top-down" information flow. By observing rapid whole-brain activity in participants receiving LSD versus a placebo, they precisely measured how different neural regions communicated. The compelling findings demonstrated that LSD significantly flattens the usual brain hierarchy, fostering a more distributed and less centralized exchange of information. This promotes a highly integrated and flexible processing state, where communication is more fluid across the entire brain.

Abstract

LSD flattens the hierarchy of directed information flow in fast whole-brain dynamics.

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