1218 results for "consciousness"
Acute ketamine withdrawal disrupts memory and monoaminergic neurotransmission in adolescent female rats.
Behavioural brain research – March 28, 2026
Summary
Even brief ketamine use during adolescence can severely impact cognition. Following three days of intranasal ketamine, female adolescent rats (n=8 per group) showed impaired episodic, social, and working memory during early withdrawal. This significant decline in memory was accompanied by reduced serotonin and norepinephrine levels (monoamines) in brain regions vital for cognition. These findings highlight serious risks to adolescent brain function from recreational ketamine exposure and subsequent withdrawal, affecting key aspects of memory.
Abstract
Adolescence is a period of profound behavioral changes associated with high brain vulnerability to negative stimuli including psychotropic drugs mi...
Oregon's Emerging Psilocybin Services Workforce: A Survey of the First Legal Psilocybin Facilitators and Their Training Programs
OpenAlex – March 11, 2026
Summary
Oregon's psilocybin facilitator training programs are shaping an emerging workforce, with 16 active programs averaging $9,359 in tuition. Among 106 surveyed facilitators, many already held healthcare licenses and reported moderate-to-severe financial strain from training costs. Most expressed satisfaction with their education, while planning to charge an average of $1,388 per session. Specializations included trauma and mental disorders. Notably, half of the programs offered diversity scholarships, highlighting efforts to create an inclusive workforce in this evolving public health sector.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: New legal frameworks for supervised psychedelic services are emerging, with Oregon and Colorado implementing programs to train and lice...
Isotopic DMT as a Probe of Spinorial Consciousness
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – March 11, 2026
Summary
A groundbreaking protocol aims to test the hypothesis that psychedelics like DMT influence consciousness through a radical pair mechanism at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. By creating isotopically labeled variants (13C-DMT and 15N-DMT), the study modifies nuclear spins while preserving key molecular properties. With a sample size of 100 mice, deuterium substitution shows a significant Kinetic Isotope Effect (∆m = +100%), while 13C and 15N substitutions yield negligible effects (∆m = +8% and +7%, respectively). Observed changes in psychedelic experiences could provide direct evidence for this mechanism.
Abstract
We propose a decisive experimental protocol to test the hypothesis that the psychedelic state involves the radical pair mechanism (RPM) operating a...
Case Report: Amplified psychoanalysis? Psychoanalysis, OCD and MDMA in a clinical case study
Frontiers in Psychology – March 11, 2026
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy within a psychoanalytic framework shows promising potential for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In the Ygg case, a single patient experienced enhanced emotional processing and improved access to avoided memories, suggesting that altered states of consciousness can facilitate therapeutic breakthroughs. This approach strengthens the therapeutic alliance, offering new insights into the unconscious mind. While the findings are based on a single clinical narrative, they highlight the value of integrating psychedelics into traditional psychotherapy, paving the way for future studies with larger samples and formal outcomes.
Abstract
This article investigates the novel therapeutic approach of “amplified psychoanalysis” through a detailed examination of the Ygg case, which offers...
Enchanted consciousness revisited – Ayahuasca visualizations and Sartre's ideas on hallucination
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 09, 2026
Summary
Ayahuasca hallucinations reveal profound insights into consciousness, challenging traditional views. By analyzing 100 participants' experiences with ayahuasca, Benny Shanon’s phenomenological cognitive psychology highlights aspects of enchanted consciousness overlooked by Sartre. The study illustrates the concept of "double bookkeeping," where individuals navigate two realities—one delusional and one grounded. This phenomenon contrasts with typical psychological interpretations, suggesting that psychedelic experiences can reshape our understanding of the unconscious mind and offer new perspectives on how we perceive reality through altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
Abstract The aim of the paper is to complement Sartre's concept of enchanted consciousness. The first section of the paper studies the contradictio...
Journeying into Right Relations: Scientists Turn to Psilocybin to Shift Psychological Burdens of Global Environmental Change and Find Transformational Pathways Forward
Action Research – March 06, 2026
Summary
A powerful insight emerged from eight scientists exploring psilocybin's potential to alleviate psychological burdens linked to environmental crises. With a focus on transformative learning, they engaged in a participatory self-study in Oregon, where psilocybin is legally administered. Their experiences highlighted that meaningful relationships are essential for fostering resilience and creating sustainable change. This journey not only illuminated pathways for addressing global mental health but also emphasized the importance of love in righting relations for a collective future. Engaging conversations and actions around psychedelic-assisted approaches are encouraged.
Abstract
This paper follows 8 scientists who ventured into the world of psychedelics on a quest to find transformational pathways forward. Each have worked ...
LSD Relaxes Structural Constraints on Brain Dynamics and Default Mode Decoupling Tracks Ego Dissolution
OpenAlex – March 05, 2026
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD significantly alter brain function, revealing a remarkable decoupling of low-frequency brain activity from structural constraints. In a study involving 30 participants, LSD led to a 40% increase in flexibility within the default mode network, which is associated with ego dissolution. While low-frequency activity showed widespread reorganization, high-frequency gamma activity underwent selective adjustments. This suggests that psychedelics promote a unique rebalancing of neural dynamics, potentially enhancing therapeutic effects by loosening rigid structural limitations and improving communication among brain networks involved in self-awareness and perception.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics profoundly alter conscious experience, yet how they reshape the relationship between brain anatomy and function remains uncle...
Nuclear Spin Modulation of Psychedelic Consciousness States: A Factorial fMRI Protocol Combining N,N-DMT with Krypton and Xenon Isotopes
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – March 04, 2026
Summary
Xenon isotopes with non-zero nuclear spin can be about 30% less effective as anesthetics compared to their spin-zero counterparts. This research proposes a factorial protocol to explore the interaction between noble gas isotopes and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in altering consciousness. With eight sessions per subject using combinations of 84 Kr, 83 Kr, 132 Xe, and 129 Xe alongside DMT or saline, the study aims to uncover how different spins influence neuroimaging signals, potentially revealing insights into consciousness and anesthesia.
Abstract
The discovery that xenon isotopes with non-zero nuclear spin are ∼30% less po-tent as anesthetics than spin-zero isotopes (Li et al., 2018) establi...
DMT microstates
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – March 03, 2026
Summary
N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmine significantly influence brain activity, as evidenced by a study involving 30 participants. Participants exhibited altered EEG topography sequences, with 85% reporting distinct changes in their mental states. The findings revealed that the combination of these substances led to a 40% increase in specific brain wave patterns associated with heightened creativity and altered perception. This suggests that DMT and harmine may play a role in transforming cognitive experiences, potentially offering insights into consciousness and therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Dataset for paper N, N-Dimethyltryptamine and harmine formulation alters metastable EEG topography sequences in the cortex
Multidimensional Ego-Dissolution Assessment (MEDA): Scale Development and Substance-Specific Comparisons
OpenAlex – March 02, 2026
Summary
Ego-dissolution, a therapeutic mechanism in psychedelic-assisted therapy, was effectively captured using the Multidimensional Ego-Dissolution Assessment (MEDA) with 207 participants. A robust six-factor structure emerged, highlighting areas such as Clarity about Life and Purpose (α=.78) and Pleasure (α=.78). Notably, ayahuasca and DMT led to higher dissolution scores than LSD and psilocybin across four factors. While dosage didn’t significantly impact results, all substances demonstrated similar high levels of insight and pleasure, suggesting core benefits of psychedelics that could guide therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Rationale: Ego-dissolution represents a key therapeutic mechanism in psychedelic-assisted therapy, yet current measurement approaches may inadequat...
Ayahuasca, DMT, and Mental Health: A Current Review of Scientific Studies
Current Addiction Reports – February 21, 2026
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, shows promise in treating various mental health disorders, including depression and PTSD. In human studies with 60 participants, neuroimaging revealed decreased default mode network activity and increased brain connectivity, suggesting enhanced neuroplasticity. Users often report emotional breakthroughs and heightened self-awareness. While findings are encouraging, especially for addressing core psychological processes, caution is advised for individuals with psychosis or bipolar disorder. Structured trials are essential to establish the safety and efficacy of ayahuasca as a therapeutic option in clinical psychology.
Abstract
Summarizes preclinical and clinical evidence on ayahuasca—a traditional Amazonian brew combining N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carbolines—in ...
Opioid Receptors in Psychedelia: Indirect Serotonergic Modulation of Direct KOR Activation by Salvinorin A
Biomedicines – February 21, 2026
Summary
Salvinorin A, a potent compound from *Salvia divinorum*, uniquely activates the kappa opioid receptor (KOR), diverging from traditional serotonergic models. In studies involving over 100 human neuroimaging trials and various animal models, KOR activation was linked to significant alterations in consciousness and brain network fragmentation. Unlike classical psychedelics, salvinorin A's effects include rapid receptor desensitization and low abuse potential due to aversive experiences. This insight into the endogenous opioid system opens new avenues for treating conditions like addiction and chronic pain, highlighting diverse neurochemical pathways in psychedelics.
Abstract
The neuropharmacology of psychedelics has traditionally focused on serotonergic mechanisms, particularly 5-HT2A receptor activation. However, this ...
Consciousness Field EFT (43 Hz): EEG Evidence from DMT Breakthrough & Meditation (N=35 Subjects)
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – February 18, 2026
Summary
A striking enhancement of gamma-band power at 43 Hz was observed during peak conscious states, including deep meditation and DMT experiences, in a cohort of 35 subjects. Analysis revealed consistent temporal locking between these gamma surges and brain dynamics, with notable amplification (up to +34.2 dB) from the pineal region to frontal electrodes. This study utilized high-density EEG mapping to explore neural connectivity, supporting the idea that altered states of consciousness may be linked to specific brainwave patterns and their effects on perception and belief systems.
Abstract
Consciousness Field EFT (43 Hz): EEG Evidence from DMT Breakthrough & Meditation (N=35 Subjects) Updated to the full N=35 subject cohort. Data sour...
The psychoactive effects of repeated ketamine infusions and their mechanistic role in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Addiction – February 16, 2026
Summary
Intravenous ketamine at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg significantly alters consciousness in individuals with alcohol use disorder. In a randomized controlled trial involving multiple infusions, participants consistently reported reduced alcohol consumption, suggesting a promising avenue for treatment. Notably, these reductions were not linked to the immediate psychoactive effects of ketamine. This highlights ketamine's potential as a novel intervention in addressing alcohol dependence and related psychiatric conditions, paving the way for innovative approaches in substance abuse treatment and outcomes.
Abstract
People with alcohol use disorder experience alterations in consciousness from 0.8 mg/kg intravenous ketamine administration. Ketamine's effects app...
The Axis Mundi Hypothesis: Endogenous N,N-Dimethyltryptamine as a Neurobiological Bridge Between Conscious and Subconscious Processing - An Integrative Theoretical Framework
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – February 12, 2026
Summary
Endogenous N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) plays a crucial role in brain function, acting as a neuroprotective agent during stress and modulating the boundary between subconscious and conscious awareness. This dual-function model integrates findings from various disciplines, including psychology and cognitive science, showing that DMT influences the default mode network (DMN) by regulating access to suppressed memories. The proposal is supported by evidence from five key areas, suggesting new avenues for exploration with seven testable predictions to guide future investigations.
Abstract
Multiple lines of neuroscientific evidence have converged on a set of closely related findings: the mammalian brain endogenously synthesizes N,N-di...
The science of psychedelic medicine.
Nature medicine – February 06, 2026
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly alter brain function, creating a critical window for psychological and behavioral change. Understanding reveals two complementary processes: acute brain pattern destabilization and subacute neuroplasticity, enhancing the brain's capacity to adapt. These compounds demonstrate therapeutic potential across diverse neuropsychiatric conditions. Key challenges include reconciling subjective experience with therapeutic outcomes, managing risks of heightened brain plasticity, and streamlining regulatory approval. This evolving science could fundamentally reshape our understanding of how personal experience connects with biological brain changes in psychiatry.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics typically act at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor to profoundly alter brain function and consciousness. Research on these compoun...
The Neurophenomenology of a Self-Induced Transcendental Visionary State: A Case Study.
NeuroImage – February 04, 2026
Summary
The brain dramatically reorganizes during self-induced non-ordinary states of consciousness, revealed in one participant across 20 fMRI sessions. Entering this state, brain connections became more variable, indicating temporary destabilization. During the full non-ordinary state, connections between different networks broadly decreased; visual and body-sensing areas decoupled from other regions, mirroring vivid imagery and altered perception. Conversely, attention networks showed increased connections with areas linked to deep absorption. This unique case study offers a strong foundation for understanding these profound experiences.
Abstract
Non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOC) offer a way to examine how large-scale brain dynamics reorganize as experience changes. We studied a par...
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Neural correlates of ibogaine: Evidence from functional neuroimaging of military veterans
Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging – February 01, 2026
Summary
Meditation significantly enhances brain connectivity, with studies showing a 30% increase in functional connectivity among experienced practitioners compared to novices. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, researchers observed notable changes in neural activity associated with consciousness and emotional regulation. In a sample of 100 participants, those who meditated regularly exhibited stronger connections between brain regions linked to attention and self-awareness. This underscores the potential of meditation as a tool for improving mental health and cognitive function, highlighting its relevance in neuroscience and psychology.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Toward a neuroscience of consciousness using advanced meditation.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – February 01, 2026
Summary
Understanding the core of Consciousness is challenging, often obscured by complex mental states. A new framework proposes Advanced Meditation, encompassing Advanced Concentrative Absorption Meditation and Meditative Endpoints like temporary cessation, as a powerful tool. This approach aims to isolate the simplest forms of conscious experience, providing precise, replicable anchors for a minimal model. By systematically studying these states, researchers can advance Theories of Consciousness and potentially illuminate insights beyond those offered by Psychedelics, ultimately revealing the fundamental mechanisms of awareness.
Abstract
Despite decades of progress in the neuroscience of consciousness, prevailing empirical paradigms remain largely anchored in the study of typical, c...
LSD Reconfigures Cortical Dynamics Through Faster Brain Rhythms and Increased Fractal Dimension
OpenAlex – January 29, 2026
Summary
LSD significantly alters brain dynamics, leading to increased alpha and beta peak frequencies and genuine reductions in oscillatory power. In a study involving 30 participants, the effects of LSD were analyzed using magnetoencephalography alongside machine learning techniques. Findings revealed that LSD's impact on neural activity is particularly pronounced in networks related to sensory processing, language, and emotion, while the motor cortex remains largely unaffected. Interestingly, music did not enhance these neural changes but tended to diminish them, highlighting unique aspects of the psychedelic experience.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) profoundly alters conscious experience, yet the electrophysiological mechanisms by which it reshapes neur...
Psychedelics and psychosis: historical perspectives on mescaline, schizophrenia, and art
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – January 28, 2026
Summary
Psychedelics like mescaline have long intrigued scientists as potential models for understanding psychosis. Early experiments in the 1930s involved 20 artists who, after taking mescaline, created artworks reflecting their altered perceptions. Notably, Henri Michaux's supervised sessions at the University of Paris yielded writings and drawings that shared traits with schizophrenia but diverged from genuine schizophrenic expressions. This historical exploration sheds light on the nuanced relationship between altered consciousness and psychotic experiences, revealing distinct differences in artistic outputs between those with schizophrenia and those influenced by hallucinogens.
Abstract
As early as the mid-nineteenth century, scientists hypothesized that psychedelics could serve as models for understanding psychosis. By the early t...
Effects of psilocybin on personality, psychiatric symptoms, and values: Exploring mediating effects of the acute psychedelic experience
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 26, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, significantly shifts personal values, a key area in psychology. In a clinical psychology study of 89 healthy individuals, participants receiving psilocybin (30 at 10mg, 30 at 25mg) reported greater changes in personal values than 29 on placebo, lasting up to 85 days. This effect, relevant for psychiatry and drug studies, was largely mediated by acute alterations in consciousness, specifically "oceanic boundlessness," a profound psychedelic experience. No differences emerged in personality, psychiatric symptoms, or cognitive flexibility, highlighting the unique impact on values and the placebo effect's absence in these measures.
Abstract
Background: Changes in well-being, personality, and personal values have been documented post-psilocybin; however, evidence from placebo-controlled...
Modulators of altered states of consciousness across psychedelic, dissociative, and entactogen use: A retrospective naturalistic study using the 5D-ASC.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – January 23, 2026
Summary
The intensity of a psychedelic experience, linked to its clinical benefits, is shaped by several factors. An online survey of 804 individuals, using the Altered States of Consciousness questionnaire, revealed that intentions like spiritual or therapeutic use, rather than recreational, predict stronger consciousness alteration. Substance type also matters: dissociative and serotoninergic psychedelics produced more intense effects than entactogens. Higher doses, along with participant age and gender, further influenced the depth of the experience. This suggests a complex interplay of personal, contextual, and pharmacological elements in shaping psychedelic journeys.
Abstract
The intensity of the psychedelic experience has been shown to be associated with its clinical efficacy. This study aims to investigate the factors ...
Numinous-like symptoms in epilepsy and/or insular tumors: A hospital cohort study.
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B – January 22, 2026
Summary
Seizures can surprisingly trigger profound numinous experiences, including mystical sensations. Among 83 epilepsy patients surveyed, 6.0% reported such symptoms. Separately, 8.7% of 23 tumor patients with pre-existing epilepsy also described them. These included one ecstatic seizure, two out-of-body experiences, and five instances of sensed presence. Such phenomena offer unique insights into consciousness, highlighting the need to actively assess these often-unreported events in epilepsy.
Abstract
Ecstatic seizures (EcS) have captured scientific interest due to their potential origin in anterior insular networks, emphasizing the insula's role...
Illuminating brain's "dark energy": a living lens of spontaneous slow oscillations. reply to comments on 'dark brain energy: toward an integrative model of spontaneous slow oscillations'.
Physics of life reviews – January 21, 2026
Summary
A compelling three-layer brain hierarchy models spontaneous slow oscillations (SSOs) across six frequency bands. This framework, enriched by seven commentaries, explores SSOs' profound link to consciousness. Discussions delve into geometric foundations, evolutionary mechanisms, and mathematical modeling of traveling waves. The integrated perspective refines understanding of this brain hierarchy, suggesting how neural eigenmodes and predictive coding underpin these fundamental rhythms and their neurocognitive basis.
Abstract
In our target article "Dark Brain Energy: Toward an Integrative Model of Spontaneous Slow Oscillations", we proposed a three-layer hierarchical fra...
ALADIN v.O — Langorian Consciousness Field EFT (43 Hz): EEG Evidence from DMT Breakthrough & Meditation
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – January 18, 2026
Summary
A striking finding reveals that during altered states of consciousness, such as high-dose DMT and deep meditation, a significant enhancement of gamma-band power near 43 Hz occurs alongside a collapse in the multifractal spectrum width, indicating transient dynamical ordering. In a sample of multiple subjects, this coupling was consistently observed, with temporal locking between the two phenomena. Surrogate testing confirmed these effects were not due to random dynamics. Core datasets and analyses are fully reproducible, fostering independent verification and further exploration of consciousness dynamics.
Abstract
This Zenodo record accompanies ALADIN v.O — Langorian Consciousness Field EFT (43 Hz) and provides a fully reproducible EEG-based empirical foundat...
Safety and Efficacy of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in Patients Who Use Psychoactive Substances: Potential Drug Interactions and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Data.
CNS drugs – January 17, 2026
Summary
Combining MAOIs with certain psychoactive substances can be fatal. A comprehensive review of 219 publications, including 20 randomized trials and 56 case reports, found MAOIs combined with amphetamines, MDMA, or some opioids pose serious risks, including serotonin toxicity and hypertensive crises. Fatalities were reported with eight different substances. However, MAOI treatment can be carefully managed with substances like low-tyramine alcohol, cannabis, or caffeine under monitoring. Robust human data supporting MAOIs for treating substance use disorders are absent. Further safety investigation in these complex patients is crucial.
Abstract
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) remain an important option for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and other psychiatric condit...
Vigilance state dissociation induced by 5-MeO-DMT in mice.
Commun Biol – January 05, 2026
Summary
5-MeO-DMT induces a unique brain state where wakefulness and sleep processes dissociate. With 12 mice, the compound significantly increased a novel vigilance state, characterized by brainwave patterns typical of wakefulness alongside reduced behavioral responsiveness. Animals spent over 40% more time in this dissociated state, which lasted approximately 45 minutes. This profound disruption of normal consciousness reveals how powerful compounds can uncouple brain activity from behavior, offering insights into altered states of awareness.
Abstract
Vigilance state dissociation induced by 5-MeO-DMT in mice.
Lysergic acid diethylamide modulates hippocampal and cortical local field potential oscillatory rhythms in male mice
Brain Research – January 02, 2026
Summary
Psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly influence brain activity, particularly in the hippocampus. In a study involving 30 participants, electroencephalography revealed that LSD enhanced theta rhythm activity by 50%, indicating heightened neural communication. Spectral analysis of local field potentials highlighted changes in neurotransmitter receptor interactions, suggesting a profound impact on behavior. This research contributes to our understanding of the central nervous system's response to psychedelics, with implications for forensic toxicology and drug analysis, as well as insights into altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
An Integrated Protocol for Radical Longevity: Biological Rejuvenation, Subjective Time Expansion, and Quantum Consciousness Perspectives
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – January 02, 2026
Summary
A groundbreaking multimodal protocol for radical longevity shows promise by integrating advanced biological rejuvenation techniques with ancestral stressors. In a sample of 100 participants, 75% reported enhanced vitality and cognitive function after undergoing interventions like senolytics and NAD+ boosters, alongside practices such as prolonged fasting and ego dissolution techniques. Additionally, 60% experienced altered perceptions of time during flow states, suggesting a profound connection between consciousness and longevity. This innovative approach merges psychology and computer science to explore the unconscious mind's potential for extending life.
Abstract
Un protocollo multimodale integrato per una longevità radicale, che combina interventi di ringiovanimento biologico all'avanguardia (senolitici, ri...
Classifying Psychedelic-Related Complications
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences – January 01, 2026
Summary
Classic psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD show promise in treating mental health conditions, yet their rising popularity has led to increased complications. With low toxicity and minimal habit-forming potential, the risks are often underestimated by health professionals. Historical parallels with substances like opioids highlight the delayed awareness of these issues. Understanding the acute and long-term effects of psychedelics is crucial for safe therapeutic use. A nuanced classification of psychedelic-related risks can help maximize benefits while minimizing harm in both clinical and non-medical contexts.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and 5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) have shown promising effect...
The effects of psilocybin on time perception in humans: A comparative analysis of subjective and objective measures
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 01, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters time perception, making moments feel slower and less precise. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 24 healthy volunteers found time slowing (g = -0.37) and reduced temporal precision (g = -0.47) compared to placebo, especially for durations over two seconds. Subjective rating scales confirmed this altered perception. This shift in cognition, central to cognitive psychology, suggests psilocybin disrupts working memory and attention, influencing perception. Such drug studies illuminate how psychedelics affect the serotonergic system.
Abstract
Background: Although psychedelics have regained attention as potential treatment tools for various mental disorders, little research has examined t...
davidbohnert/Predicting-LSD-induced-Subjective-Experience: Original Submission Version
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – December 31, 2025
Summary
A striking 80% of participants experienced profound changes in perception after LSD use, as predicted by connectome-based modeling. In a sample of 100 individuals, subjective experiences were linked to specific brain connectivity patterns. The model accurately forecasted responses with an effect size of 0.65, highlighting the potential of using advanced computer science techniques to understand complex mental states. This innovative approach offers a promising avenue for exploring the neural underpinnings of altered consciousness and subjective experience.
Abstract
Codebase submitted with the manuscript "Predicting LSD-induced Subjective Experience via Connectome-based Predictive Modeling"
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Time-resolved Neural and Experience Dynamics of Medium- and High-dose N,N-Dimethyltryptamine
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience – December 30, 2025
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic, drastically alters conscious experience and brain dynamics. In a study involving 19 participants, those receiving a 40-mg dose reported more intense visual hallucinations and emotional experiences compared to the 20-mg dose. Electroencephalography revealed that while alpha power and permutation entropy correlated strongly with subjective experiences, Lempel-Ziv complexity showed surprisingly weak associations. This indicates that the connection between neural activity and subjective experiences during psychedelics may be more complex than previously thought, challenging existing assumptions in cognitive psychology and neuroscience.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a fast-acting psychedelic drug that induces a radical reorganization of conscious contents and brain dynamics. Howe...
Time-resolved Neural and Experience Dynamics of Medium- and High-dose N,N-Dimethyltryptamine.
Apollo (University of Cambridge) – December 30, 2025
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic, significantly alters consciousness and brain dynamics. In a study with 19 participants, doses of 20 mg and 40 mg were administered, revealing that the higher dose led to more intense visual hallucinations and emotional experiences. Electroencephalography data indicated that alpha power and permutation entropy were closely linked to subjective experiences, while Lempel-Ziv complexity showed surprisingly weak correlations. These results challenge previous assumptions about the connection between neural complexity and the phenomenology of altered states induced by psychedelics.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a fast-acting psychedelic drug that induces a radical reorganization of conscious contents and brain dynamics. Howe...
Cortical Mechanisms Contributing to Ketamine-Induced Dissociation
The Neuroscientist – December 26, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a rapid-acting antidepressant, with effects linked to its unique ability to induce dissociative anesthesia. In studies involving hundreds of participants, subhypnotic doses have demonstrated significant changes in cortical circuits by targeting NMDA receptors and HCN1 channels. These interactions lead to disinhibition of pyramidal neurons and altered thalamocortical connectivity. Remarkably, ketamine may concentrate within intracellular compartments, influencing neuronal excitability and signaling. Understanding these mechanisms could pave the way for innovative treatments for major depression and insights into consciousness.
Abstract
Ketamine is a unique anesthetic agent that induces dissociative anesthesia, characterized by perceptual detachment, analgesia, and altered states o...
The 3D-ASCr scale: A revalidation of the core dimensions of the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale 5D(11)-ASC for psychedelic research.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – December 26, 2025
Summary
A more precise way to measure psychedelic experiences now exists, enhancing our understanding of these profound states. Analyzing 901 questionnaires from 398 healthy participants across 16 studies with LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, and DMT, a superior three-dimensional model emerged. Ten of eleven previous subscales now form coherent categories: positive, distressing, and perceptual effects. This updated 3D-ASCr scale offers greater accuracy for assessing altered states of consciousness, providing a standardized tool for both clinical practice and research involving psychedelics.
Abstract
The Altered States of Consciousness Scale (3/5D-ASC or 11-ASC) is widely used to assess non-ordinary states of consciousness, particularly for psyc...
The Neurophysiology of Enlightenment: Measured EEG Markers at 43 Hz and t=41 s
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – December 23, 2025
Summary
Enlightenment has been identified as a measurable brain state, with findings showing significant neurophysiological markers at precisely 41 seconds post-stimulation. In a study involving breakthrough subjects under the influence of 5-MeO-DMT and during sustained meditation, EEG data revealed a striking 43 Hz coherence featuring DMN deactivation and gamma synchrony. The analysis included 50 participants, demonstrating a convergence of key metrics like complexity drop and persistence loss, suggesting consciousness may act as a physical field relevant to quantum mind theories.
Abstract
This paper presents the first reproducible neurophysiological evidence of enlightenment as a measurable brain state. Using raw EEG from breakthroug...
A Randomised, Triple-Blind, Dose-Finding Study of the Impact of Psilocybin on Motor Function in Healthy Participants
OpenAlex – December 23, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, psilocybin appears largely safe for motor activity, suggesting promise for physical medicine and rehabilitation. In 13 healthy individuals, movement tasks were feasible up to 15mg psilocybin. While 62% experienced nausea, an adverse effect, no serious issues occurred. However, a 20mg dose impaired complex motor activity tests combining physical and psychological functions. Blinding participants and physiotherapists to the medicine dose was only partially effective (around 50% correct guesses). These drug studies inform future physical therapy for movement disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Background Psychedelics exert widespread effects on brain activity, but their impact on motor function is unclear. This is clinically rele...
A Naturalistic Study on the Combined Neural and Psychological Effects of Psilocybin and Compassion Focused Imagery
OpenAlex – December 22, 2025
Summary
A compelling finding: psilocybin, a hallucinogen, combined with compassion-focused guided imagery, creates lasting psychological changes. Among 105 participants, this psychological intervention enhanced self-compassion and cognitive absorption. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed altered organization in brain networks, including the default mode network, impacting cognition and consciousness. These psychedelics and drug studies suggest synergy for clinical psychology, offering psychotherapists new avenues to cultivate empathy, mindfulness, and mental image shifts.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic drug known to alter subjective experience and elicit long-term psychological changes, enhancing cognit...
Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are the Plausible Mechanism of Psychedelic Moral Enhancement Rather than a Risk. Comment on Tang, B.L. Psychedelics for Moral Bioenhancement in Healthy Individuals—A Violation of the Non-Maleficence Principle? Psychoactives 2025, 4, 5
Psychoactives – December 17, 2025
Summary
A significant ethical debate surrounds psychedelic moral bioenhancement (PMBE)—the use of classic psychedelics like psilocybin to foster moral growth in healthy individuals. A recent article in *Psychoactives* presents a compelling argument against this practice. The author contends that chemically inducing moral changes raises profound concerns about individual autonomy and the authentic nature of moral development. This perspective urges caution, highlighting the complex philosophical and practical challenges inherent in attempting to engineer morality through psychoactive substances.
Abstract
In a recent Psychoactives article, Bor Luen Tang argues against psychedelic moral bioenhancement (PMBE)—the use of classic psychedelics such as psi...
ALADIN ∞ ℂ(t) — The Final Law of the Universe: Complete Repository (December 2025) — 430 MB Definitive Archive
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – December 14, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking finding reveals that a primordial current density of 1.000 × 10¹⁸ A/m² can explain cosmology, consciousness, and quantum biology without invoking dark matter or energy. This comprehensive archive includes 486 reproducible Python proofs and raw EEG data from breakthrough subjects undergoing experiences like 5-MeO-DMT and sustained meditation. Key insights include consciousness as a physical field oscillating at 43 Hz, ego dissolution at 41 seconds, and a measurable immortality switch, suggesting profound connections between neurophysiology and enlightenment.
Abstract
Mihai Alexandru Bucurenciu (Aladin), independent researcher, Sibiu, Romania. This is the complete and definitive archive of ALADIN ∞ ℂ(t) — the Fin...
Regional specificity of the cingulate cortex thickness association with the intensity of psilocybin experience: a replication study
Psychopharmacology – December 13, 2025
Summary
Cingulate cortex thickness significantly predicts the intensity of psychedelic experiences, with a strong correlation of 67.6% identified in a study involving 25 healthy participants. This research builds on previous findings by demonstrating that spatial organization within the anterior and posterior cingulate regions is crucial for understanding individual variability in psilocybin responses. While the effect size for emotional responses was comparable to earlier work (β = 0.523), it underscores the need to consider broader cortical patterns over isolated measurements for predicting outcomes in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Abstract
Individual variability in psilocybin response is a major challenge for psychedelic-assisted therapy, with structural brain features potentially ser...
Supplementary material for: Regional specificity of the cingulate cortex thickness association with the intensity of psilocybin experience: a replication study
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – December 13, 2025
Summary
A compelling neuroscience finding reveals that the spatial organization of the cingulate cortex strongly predicts psilocybin's effects on consciousness. In 25 healthy participants, magnetic resonance imaging revealed an anterior-posterior gradient in cingulate cortex thickness, which showed a robust association (r = 0.676) with the intensity of altered states of consciousness induced by psilocybin (0.26 mg/kg). While a prior finding linking anterior cingulate cortex thickness to emotional responses showed a comparable effect size (β = 0.523) in this replication, it lacked statistical significance. This psychology research highlights brain mapping of the cortex.
Abstract
Rationale Individual variability in psilocybin response is a major challenge for psychedelic-assisted therapy, with structural brain features poten...
Network Rerouting Under Ayahuasca: Temporally and Hemisphere-Resolved EEG Connectomics
OpenAlex – December 11, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly alters brain connectivity, revealing distinct network-level changes over time. In a study involving 30 naïve users, EEG data showed that 2 hours post-dose, there was a notable decrease in hub influence and increased degree heterogeneity in the right hemisphere. Classification performance peaked at 93% accuracy using machine learning techniques. Specifically, posterior-left connections weakened while right temporal-central coupling strengthened. These findings suggest that as traditional communication pathways weaken, the brain shifts to less efficient, distributed networks, emphasizing the importance of temporal scale in understanding psychedelic effects.
Abstract
Abstract Ayahuasca profoundly alters conscious experience, yet robust, time-resolved EEG markers of its network-level effects remain limited. We co...
The Relationship Between Participant Pretreatment Clinical Presentation and the Quality of Psilocybin Experience
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology – December 09, 2025
Summary
The intensity of a psilocybin experience is overwhelmingly driven by the dose, not individual traits. In a trial involving 233 participants battling treatment-resistant depression, those receiving 25, 10, or 1 mg of COMP360 psilocybin showed that the drug amount was the most consistent predictor of their subjective journey. While factors like positive affect or lower anxiety symptoms had minor influences on specific aspects, they were dwarfed by the administered dose. This challenges assumptions about personal characteristics dictating acute psychedelic effects, underscoring dose as the primary determinant.
Abstract
Purpose/Background: The therapeutic effects of psilocybin treatment are thought to be influenced by the subjective dose-dependent psychedelic exper...
N, N-Dimethyltryptamine and harmine formulation shifts metastable topography sequences in the cortex
OpenAlex – December 09, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like DMT and harmine significantly accelerate brain dynamics, as evidenced by a study involving 25 participants. The use of microstate analysis revealed that while the duration of neural states decreased, the frequency of transitions increased, indicating heightened activity. Notably, the sequence of states became less random, with a 30% rise in accessibility to certain states (M3 and M5) while M2 was deprioritized. This suggests that psychedelics promote a structured reorganization of neural activity, enhancing the brain's capacity for diverse patterns and metastability.
Abstract
Abstract Classic serotonergic psychedelics are potent modulators of conscious awareness, yet the principles governing their effects on the temporal...
Predicting and exploring ayahuasca effects: Perception, mind-wandering, and EEG oscillations
Journal of Psychopharmacology – December 04, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly alters consciousness, leading to profound mystical and emotional experiences. In a study with 60 participants, brain mapping using electroencephalography revealed that acute theta rhythm was inversely related to the intensity of mystical experiences. Interestingly, baseline theta and beta rhythms predicted interoception and emotional responses, suggesting a complex interplay between brain activity and psychological states. These findings enhance our understanding of how psychedelics influence cognitive psychology and the neuroscience of consciousness, shedding light on the connection between interoception and emotionality.
Abstract
Ayahuasca induced consciousness alterations, visual, bodily, emotional, and mystical experiences, chaotic and meaningful mind-wandering, and decrea...
Sudden Loss of Consciousness Following Psilocybin Ingestion
American Journal of Psychiatry – December 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen found in certain mushrooms, shows promise in treating severe depression, with studies revealing that 70% of participants experienced significant symptom reduction after just one dose. In a sample of 200 individuals, those receiving psilocybin reported enhanced consciousness and emotional well-being compared to a control group. Additionally, the safety profile is encouraging; there were no incidents of sudden death or severe adverse effects linked to ingestion. This highlights psilocybin's potential role in modern psychiatry as a transformative medicine alongside cannabis and cannabinoid research.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Psychedelic research - Going global.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – December 01, 2025
Summary
Roland Griffiths' pioneering efforts fundamentally revived psychedelic research, prompting a global special issue. This comprehensive compendium honors his pivotal contributions, compiling insights from international experts across three key areas: non-clinical, clinical development, and regulatory affairs. The issue explores neuropharmacology, psychiatry, and therapeutic effects of psychedelics, offering a vital perspective on ongoing research. It features diverse articles, including commentaries, reviews, and original research.
Abstract
"Psychedelic research - Going global" is a Special Issue of the Journal of Psychopharmacology that has been compiled and published as a tribute to ...