Spotlight commentary: REBUS and the anarchic brain.
Tehseen Noorani, Ben Alderson-day
Neuroscience of consciousness January 1, 2020 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1093/nc/niaa007 via PubMed
Summary
The analysis presented by Carhart-Harris and Friston explores how the predictive processing framework enhances our understanding of psychedelic experiences, which is beneficial for psychedelic psychiatry. However, it also emphasizes the need to consider contextual factors influencing these extreme experiences and suggests that comparisons with non-psychedelic altered states may miss more relevant insights. Addressing these aspects could help identify key mechanisms involved in psychedelic experiences.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | The predictive processing framework provides valuable insights into psychedelic experiences, but greater attention to contextual factors is necessary. |
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Abstract
In 'REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Towards a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics', Carhart-Harris and Friston offer an important analysis of what the predictive processing framework has to offer our understanding of psychedelic experiences, providing an invaluable ground for psychedelic psychiatry. While applauding this, we encourage paying greater attention to contextual factors shaping extreme experiences and their sequalae, and suggest that the authors' comparisons with certain non-psychedelic altered states may overlook more informative parallels that can be drawn elsewhere. Addressing both points will prove fruitful, ultimately, in identifying the mechanisms of action of greatest interest in psychedelic experiences.