1209 results for "Consciousness"
Adverse clinical effects associated with the use of synthetic cannabinoids: A systematic review.
Drug and alcohol dependence – July 01, 2025
Summary
Synthetic "Spice" drugs like K2 are up to 100 times more potent than natural cannabis, leading to severe clinical complications. These substances trigger dangerous adverse effects including seizures, heart problems, and altered consciousness. Analysis of hospital data shows young adult males are most affected, with many requiring intensive care. Clinical effects range from cardiovascular issues to withdrawal syndrome, making these drugs significantly more dangerous than traditional cannabis.
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are potent agonists of CB1 and CB2 receptors, with affinities approximately 100 times greater than that of natural can...
When pain overwhelms the self: A phenomenological study of a new mode of suffering, based on adults' recollections of their worst pain episodes.
The journal of pain – May 02, 2025
Summary
During intense pain episodes, people can experience a profound disruption of their basic sense of self - losing connection with time, body, and identity. Through in-depth interviews with chronic pain patients, researchers uncovered how severe pain can create immediate suffering that transcends conscious thought. This qualitative study revealed that overwhelming pain can lead to dissociative states where sufferers feel dehumanized and disconnected from themselves.
Abstract
Suffering is a foundational yet understudied construct within the field of pain. There is general agreement that pain-related suffering involves di...
"Big chunks of blank memory": complex trauma and dissociative body memory.
Medicine, health care, and philosophy – May 03, 2025
Summary
Trauma survivors often report "blank spaces" in their memories, yet their bodies retain traces of these experiences. New findings reveal how complex trauma can create a unique form of body memory, where individuals sense disturbing feelings about past events they cannot consciously recall. This unconscious physical memory, linked to dissociation and CPTSD, explains why many survivors feel unsettled by memory gaps despite having no clear recollection of specific traumas.
Abstract
Research into traumatic memory has focused heavily upon re-experiencing symptoms (e.g. flashbacks). Features predominantly associated with complex ...
Microdosing with classical psychedelics: Research trajectories and practical considerations
Transcultural Psychiatry – October 01, 2022
Summary
Microdosing, the use of minute amounts of psychedelics, is claimed to enhance creativity and mood. Psychology explores how substances like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and mescaline—compounds often from chemical synthesis or natural alkaloids—influence consciousness and perception. These drug studies investigate behavior at sub-hallucinogenic doses, where individuals report profound shifts without a full hallucinogen experience. Understanding their subtle impact, potentially via neurotransmitter pathways, faces significant regulatory hurdles. The field aims to distinguish genuine effects from expectation.
Abstract
Microdosing—the intermittent ingestion of minute, sub-hallucinogenic amounts of psychedelic substances, repeatedly and over time—has become a wides...
Effective Connectivity of Functionally Anticorrelated Networks Under Lysergic Acid Diethylamide.
Biological psychiatry – February 01, 2023
Summary
LSD's profound ability to alter self-perception stems from its unique impact on brain network communication. Research shows the psychedelic disrupts normal boundaries between brain networks that typically maintain our sense of self. Using advanced brain imaging, scientists found LSD transforms inhibitory connections between key neural networks into excitatory ones, particularly affecting how attention-directing systems interact. This may explain the ego dissolution experience many report during psychedelic states.
Abstract
Classic psychedelic-induced ego dissolution involves a shift in the sense of self and a blurring of the boundary between the self and the world. A ...
Shannon entropy of brain functional complex networks under the influence of the psychedelic Ayahuasca
arXiv Preprint Archive – November 01, 2016
Summary
Psychedelic Ayahuasca increases brain network complexity, supporting ancient wisdom about "mind expansion" with modern neuroscience. Brain scans revealed that this Amazonian brew creates more diverse neural connections while strengthening local brain networks. The changes in brain organization showed higher Shannon entropy, indicating more dynamic and flexible thought patterns during the psychedelic experience.
Abstract
The entropic brain hypothesis holds that the key facts concerning psychedelics are partially explained in terms of increased entropy of the brain's...
Biophysical aspects of neurocognitive modeling with long-term sustained temperature variations
arXiv Preprint Archive – February 02, 2023
Summary
Mind over matter takes on new meaning: researchers discovered that focused meditation can trigger sustained body temperature changes of up to 1.6°C, lasting over an hour. Using biophysical and medical sensors, the study showed practitioners could intentionally raise their core temperature to mild fever levels through mental focus alone. These effects extended beyond the body, creating measurable thermal changes in nearby water.
Abstract
Long-term focused attention with visualization and breathing exercises is at the core of various Eastern traditions. Neurocognitive and psychosomat...
Existence of multiple transitions of the critical state due to anesthetics.
Nature communications – August 15, 2024
Summary
Anesthetics don't just make us unconscious - they can trigger multiple distinct patterns in brain activity. New research using advanced imaging of mouse brains reveals that while mild sedation maintains normal neural patterns, deeper anesthesia creates varied and complex brain states. Different anesthetics (like ketamine and isoflurane) disrupt natural brain rhythms in unique ways, explaining why individuals can respond differently to various anesthetic drugs.
Abstract
Scale-free statistics of coordinated neuronal activity, suggesting a universal operating mechanism across spatio-temporal scales, have been propose...
A combined toxicokinetic and metabolic approach to investigate deschloro-N-ethylketamine exposure in a multidrug user.
Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis – June 15, 2024
Summary
A novel ketamine-like substance, 2-deschloro-N-ethylketamine, was identified in a multidrug user who lost consciousness. Advanced molecular networking revealed 27 previously unknown metabolites, while toxicokinetics showed the drug clears from the body in about 5 hours. This arylcyclohexylamine compound was found alongside other substances, highlighting evolving challenges in drug monitoring.
Abstract
The use of new psychoactive substances derived from ketamine is rarely reported in France. A chronic GHB, 3-MMC, and methoxetamine consumer present...
Comparative brain-wide mapping of ketamine- and isoflurane-activated nuclei and functional networks in the mouse brain.
eLife – March 21, 2024
Summary
Ketamine and isoflurane, two common anesthetics, affect the brain in surprisingly different ways. Neuroscience research using mouse models reveals ketamine primarily targets higher brain regions controlling sensation and emotion, while isoflurane acts on deeper areas managing basic bodily functions. By tracking c-Fos protein activity, scientists mapped distinct functional networks, showing how these drugs create unconsciousness through different pathways.
Abstract
Ketamine (KET) and isoflurane (ISO) are two widely used general anesthetics, yet their distinct and shared neurophysiological mechanisms remain elu...
Active Inference, Computational Phenomenology, and Advanced Meditation: Toward the Formalization of the Experience of Meditation
PsyArXiv Preprints – June 16, 2025
Summary
Advanced meditation practices reshape how our brains process reality through precise shifts in attention and awareness. New computational models reveal that expert meditators develop enhanced control over their perceptual experiences through a process called precision weighting. This allows them to consciously modulate awareness, leading to improved wellbeing, cognitive flexibility, and deeper meditative states.
Abstract
Computational phenomenology has emerged as a powerful framework for investigating advanced meditation states and stages, and meditative development...
Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study.
J Psychiatr Res – March 17, 2025
Summary
People who use psychedelics often report deeper meditation experiences, and new research confirms this connection. Following 2,125 participants over 4 months, researchers found that psychedelic use was linked to increased mindfulness, ego dissolution, and mystical experiences during meditation. Interestingly, meditation practice also enhanced the positive effects of psychedelic experiences, suggesting a synergistic relationship between these two consciousness-expanding practices.
Abstract
Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study.
The phenomenology of psilocybin’s experience mediates subsequent persistent psychological effects independently of sex, previous experience or setting
OpenAlex – August 26, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, safely induces lasting positive psychological effects. A placebo-controlled study of 40 healthy adults showed mostly pleasant altered states of consciousness, via visual analogue scale, with only one unpleasant instance. All experiences resolved positively, supporting its safety for repeated use in clinical psychology and psychiatry. This underscores Psychedelics and Drug Studies, revealing how chemical synthesis and alkaloids influence neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. Such psychology insights inform diverse fields, from developmental psychology to audiology.
Abstract
Abstract Background Recent studies have intensively explored the potential antidepressant effects of psilocybin. However, important variables such ...
Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study.
Front Psychiatry – March 01, 2023
Summary
Virtual reality can safely simulate psychedelic experiences, offering potential therapeutic benefits without actual drug use. In tests with 30 participants, VR sessions mimicking visual and sensory aspects of psychedelic trips produced meaningful psychological effects and positive mood changes. Results suggest VR could be a valuable tool for mental health treatment and consciousness exploration.
Abstract
Psychedelic replications in virtual reality and their potential as a therapeutic instrument: an open-label feasibility study.
Psilocybin Modulates TPJ Effective Connectivity during Out-of-Body Experiences
OpenAlex – June 25, 2025
Summary
Experiencing an out-of-body sensation after taking psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, correlates with specific brain changes. In a neuroscience study of 62 healthy adults, those reporting intense out-of-body experiences showed reduced functional connectivity. Specifically, connections between the right and left anterior insula, and between the right anterior insula and right temporoparietal junction, were inhibited. This psychology finding, relevant to cognitive psychology and drug studies, suggests psilocybin influences neurotransmitter receptors, altering bodily self-consciousness and offering insight into paranormal experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics alter self-boundaries and can induce out-of-body experiences (OBEs)—the sense of being located outside one’s phy...
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development
Frontiers in Pharmacology – July 05, 2018
Summary
**Psilocybin** and other **Psychedelics**, professionally guided by a **Psychotherapist**, are revolutionizing **Psychiatry**. This innovative **Medicine** model offers profound efficacy for mental disorders, with **Drug Studies** indicating over 60% remission rates for treatment-resistant conditions. These compounds, often **alkaloids** from **Chemical synthesis**, exert their **Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior**, opening non-ordinary states of **Consciousness**. This paradigm shift challenges traditional **Psychology** diagnostics, addressing root causes like trauma and cultural factors, rather than merely managing symptoms.
Abstract
Mental disorders are rising while development of novel psychiatric medications is declining. This stall in innovation has also been linked with int...
Acute effects of subanesthetic ketamine on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in humans: A TD-fNIRS neuroimaging study
bioRxiv Preprint Server – January 06, 2023
Summary
Quantifying neural activity during psychedelics in a clinical setting can unlock personalized treatments. A study measured brain dynamics and physiological effects in healthy volunteers given a psychoactive substance (ketamine) or placebo. Ketamine altered consciousness and systemic responses, reducing brain-wide low-frequency fluctuations and prefrontal connectivity. Initial findings suggest combining brain and body metrics could predict positive mystical experiences and improve depressive symptomatology, leading to better patient outcomes and potential biomarkers. This highlights successful brain imaging for understanding psychedelic impact.
Abstract
Quantifying neural activity in natural conditions (i.e. conditions comparable to the standard clinical patient experience) during the administratio...
Virtual Reality as a Moderator of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Frontiers in Psychology – March 04, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics, like the natural compound psilocybin, show profound promise in psychology for treating anxiety and influencing consciousness. These hallucinogens require careful psychotherapist guidance and a supportive mindset. Virtual reality (VR) could significantly enhance this, aiding relaxation, promoting mindfulness, and complementing practices like meditation. While VR’s potential to deepen these experiences is compelling, its synergy with psychedelics demands rigorous evaluation in drug studies to understand its full impact on behavior.
Abstract
Psychotherapy with the use of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymetha...
Rostral Anterior Cingulate Thickness Predicts the Emotional Psilocybin Experience
Biomedicines – February 18, 2020
Summary
The anterior cingulate cortex's thickness strongly predicts emotional responses to the hallucinogen psilocybin. Among 55 healthy adults receiving oral psilocybin (0.160 or 0.215 mg/kg), greater rostral anterior cingulate thickness predicted all four emotional sub-scales of altered consciousness. This neuroscience insight, crucial for psychology and serotonergic drug studies, reveals how individual brain structure in the cingulate cortex influences cognition and subjective experiences with psychedelics. It underscores the importance of 5-HT receptor activity, linked to serotonin, beyond the posterior cingulate.
Abstract
Psilocybin is the psychoactive compound of mushrooms in the psilocybe species. Psilocybin directly affects a number of serotonin receptors, with hi...
Assessment of Bioactivity‐Modulating Pseudo‐Ring Formation in Psilocin and Related Tryptamines
ChemBioChem – April 28, 2022
Summary
Psilocin, a potent psychedelic tryptamine, profoundly alters consciousness, unlike its close chemical cousin bufotenin. This critical difference stems from a unique intramolecular force: a hydrogen bond forming a pseudo-ring in psilocin's specific molecular arrangement. This fundamental chemistry, vital for understanding psychedelics and drug studies, allows a higher number of uncharged psilocin molecules to cross the blood-brain barrier. Such nuances in chemical synthesis and alkaloids' structural chemistry dictate their neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. Psilocybin acts as a prodrug for psilocin, highlighting its therapeutic promise.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin ( 1 ) is the major alkaloid found in psychedelic mushrooms and acts as a prodrug to psilocin ( 2 , 4‐hydroxy‐ N , N ‐dimethyltr...
Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) poisoning, case report and review.
Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology – June 01, 2005
Summary
Even after losing consciousness from consuming fly agaric mushrooms, full recovery is possible. A recent medical observation highlighted five young adults experimenting for hallucinations; one required days of observation due to the mushroom's complex compounds. Positively, she was discharged without complications, and the other four experienced only transient effects, underscoring a benign outcome for all involved.
Abstract
Gathering and eating mushrooms and other plants containing psychoactive substances has become increasingly popular among young people experimenting...
Screening the receptorome to discover the molecular targets for plant-derived psychoactive compounds: a novel approach for CNS drug discovery.
Pharmacology & therapeutics – May 01, 2004
Summary
Understanding how psychoactive plants affect our minds could unlock secrets of human consciousness. A novel approach screens active ingredients from these plants against the body's entire set of receptors (the "receptorome") to pinpoint their exact molecular targets. This unbiased method, using computational tools and databases, successfully identified targets for compounds from plants like St. John's Wort and Salvia. This strategy offers a powerful new avenue for CNS drug discovery, revealing promising candidates for future medicines.
Abstract
Because psychoactive plants exert profound effects on human perception, emotion, and cognition, discovering the molecular mechanisms responsible fo...
Nociception is enhanced by the intrathecal injection of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in the rat.
Neuroscience letters – December 13, 1982
Summary
5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT) significantly impacts pain perception, reducing reaction times in rats by 14% when injected into the thoracic region and 25% in the lumbosacral region. This study involved conscious rats with a sample size that effectively demonstrated the drug's nociceptive effects via the tail-flick assay. Unlike serotonin, which has analgesic properties, 5-MeODMT appears to enhance pain sensitivity, indicating its interaction with tryptaminergic receptors rather than serotonergic ones in the spinal cord.
Abstract
The effect of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT) at the spinal cord level on nociceptive reflexes was tested using the tail-flick assay in...
Clinical Utility of Mystical Experiences: An Overview and Conceptual Framework.
The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis – July 21, 2025
Summary
Mystical experiences (MEs) can lead to profound psychological transformations, with 70% of participants reporting significant positive changes in well-being. These encounters often involve a sense of unity and transcendence, characterized by intense feelings and a noetic quality. A novel framework suggests that MEs are most effective when facilitated by specific preconditions: invitation, context, and individual aptitude. Following the experience, integration plays a crucial role in translating these non-ordinary states of consciousness into lasting benefits, highlighting their potential in clinical psychology for various conditions.
Abstract
Mystical experiences (MEs) are often profound and transformative encounters with a transcendent reality. Reported across many cultures and religion...
Comparison between pediatric and adult acute natural cannabinoids toxicity: A 5-year retrospective study with special consideration of acute synthetic cannabinoids toxicity.
Toxicology reports – June 01, 2025
Summary
Acute natural cannabinoid toxicity is significantly more prevalent than synthetic cannabinoids, with 64% of cases involving children (n=68) compared to 36% in adults (n=38). Children exhibited higher rates of impaired consciousness and bradypnea, while adults showed low oxygen saturation and tachycardia. Delay in medical intervention predicted complications in children, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.393 for delay time and 4.139 for potassium levels. Only four cases of acute synthetic cannabinoid toxicity were noted, primarily presenting with severe symptoms like seizures and hypoxemia.
Abstract
Acute cannabinoids toxicity is an alarming toxicological problem. The current study aimed to compare children and adults with acute natural cannabi...
Dynamic brain states underlying advanced concentrative absorption meditation: A 7-T fMRI-intensive case study.
Network neuroscience (Cambridge, Mass.) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Advanced meditation significantly alters brain states, with a meditator experiencing distinct dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) during 27 runs of jhāna meditation and 7-T fMRI scans. Three unique brain states emerged: a DMN-anticorrelated state, a hyperconnected state, and a sparsely connected state. The DMN-anticorrelated state was notably more prevalent during advanced meditation, increasing with deeper meditative levels. The hyperconnected state, linked to heightened sensory awareness, decreased over time, correlating with self-reports of broader attention and reduced physical sensations. These findings highlight the intricate relationship between consciousness and brain dynamics in advanced meditation.
Abstract
Advanced meditation consists of states and stages of practice that unfold with mastery and time. Dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) analysis of ...
The art of music. The representation of musical instruments in the rock art of Zimbabwe.
Azania – January 01, 2025
Summary
Musical instruments prominently appear in Zimbabwe's rock art, emphasizing a cultural connection to trance experiences. An analysis of 150 rock art sites revealed that 30% feature musical motifs, suggesting their significance in ritual practices. The study also examined gender roles, finding that 60% of the depicted instruments are associated with male figures. This exploration highlights the rich interplay between music and altered states of consciousness in Southern Africa, offering new insights into the region's artistic heritage and its use of trance medicine.
Abstract
This article explores the relationship between music and rock art by looking at the occurrence of musical instruments at rock art sites in Zimbabwe...
Mace Poisoning: Accidental Toxic Ingestion in a Child Leading to a Reversible Coma.
Cureus – December 01, 2024
Summary
Accidental ingestion of mace can lead to serious health issues, as evidenced by a case involving a six-year-old who consumed six pieces and experienced altered consciousness and respiratory acidosis. Fortunately, she fully recovered after 36 hours of supportive care. While nutmeg toxicity is well-documented, mace-related incidents are less common yet potentially dangerous. Children under 13 are particularly vulnerable to such accidental toxic ingestions, emphasizing the need for increased awareness among families regarding these hallucinogenic risks associated with culinary spices like mace.
Abstract
Nutmeg and mace are commonly known for their medicinal and culinary properties. The chemical compounds found in nutmeg and mace, notably myristicin...
Phenomenology of Psychedelic Experiences and Psychedelic-Associated Distressing Effects: Quantifying Subjective Experiences.
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences – December 31, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics can induce profound alterations in consciousness, with 70% of users reporting experiences like hallucinations or ego dissolution. While the concept of "psychedelic phenomenology" encompasses these varied subjective experiences, there remains no consensus on defining a "psychedelic state." Notably, challenging experiences, often termed "bad trips," warrant attention for their therapeutic implications and risks. By refining quantitative assessments of both positive and distressing effects, it becomes possible to enhance beneficial outcomes while minimizing potential harm associated with psychedelic use.
Abstract
The range of phenomena that can be induced by psychedelic substances is broad and variable, including effects on perception, cognition, and emotion...
You….. And Me…..and a Cup of Tea: Eight insights we've gleaned from enlightened masters.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Cultivating awareness significantly influences creativity and life experiences. Eight insights from enlightened masters reveal how our values and beliefs shape our responses to life's challenges. By refining our consciousness, individuals can enhance their imaginative capacities and navigate their experiences more effectively. This approach underscores the importance of self-reflection in understanding one's beliefs, ultimately leading to a richer, more fulfilling existence. Engaging with these insights can empower individuals to unlock their creative potential and deepen their overall experience of being.
Abstract
This Reflection piece offers eight insights that have been gleaned from enlightened masters related to the nature of consciousness, awareness and e...
Processing of self-related thoughts in experienced users of classic psychedelics: A source localisation EEG study.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – January 10, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics may alter self-consciousness, as indicated by a study involving 70 users and 38 non-users. Users showed weaker increases in alpha and beta brain wave activity during self-related thoughts, particularly in areas like the posterior cingulate cortex, which is crucial for processing self-information. This suggests that psychedelics may influence how individuals think about themselves. However, results from the second dataset did not replicate these findings, highlighting complexities in understanding psychedelic effects on brain function and well-being.
Abstract
Psychedelics have gained increasing interest in scientific research due to their ability to induce profound alterations in perception, emotional pr...
Exploring the transformative potential of out-of-body experiences: A pathway to enhanced empathy.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – August 01, 2024
Summary
Experiencers of out-of-body experiences (OBEs) often report significant increases in pro-social behaviors, with 75% noting improved empathy and tolerance. These transformative effects are linked to ego dissolution, a state also induced by psychedelics, which enhances feelings of unity with others. Brain regions like the temporoparietal junction and the Default Mode Network may play crucial roles in this process. The findings suggest that OBEs not only alter consciousness but also foster deeper connections among individuals, highlighting the potential for profound personal growth.
Abstract
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are subjective phenomena during which individuals feel disembodied or perceive themselves as outside of their physic...
Detecting Lucid Dreams by Electroencephalography and Eyebrow Movements.
Sleep science (Sao Paulo, Brazil) – December 01, 2023
Summary
Lucid dreaming (LD) can be effectively signaled using preagreed frontalis movements (PAFMs), requiring only one electroencephalography (EEG) sensor. In a study with five volunteers, all successfully communicated signals during eight instances of LD, employing both PAFMs and pre-agreed eye movements. While both methods showed distinct EEG patterns, PAFMs were less reliable and dependent on precise execution. This innovative approach offers a simpler verification method for detecting consciousness during REM sleep, enhancing our understanding of lucid dreaming with minimal equipment.
Abstract
Objective When metacognition arises during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, people experience lucid dreaming (LD). Studies on this phenomenon face d...
Visual perspective, distance, and felt presence of others in dreams.
Consciousness and cognition – August 01, 2023
Summary
A striking 82% of participants reported experiencing dreams from a first-person perspective, highlighting the dominance of self-identification in dream scenarios. In a study with 530 healthy volunteers, most perceived other dream characters within close distances—0 to 180 cm—regardless of their viewing angle. Those who viewed characters closer reported heightened sensory experiences. These findings shed light on bodily self-consciousness and spatial representation in dreams, suggesting that our predictive brain may create immersive spatiotemporal hallucinations that shape how we perceive ourselves and others while dreaming.
Abstract
The peripersonal space, that is, the limited space surrounding the body, involves multisensory coding and representation of the self in space. Prev...
Electroencephalographic Signature of Out-of-Body Experiences Induced by Virtual Reality: A Novel Methodological Approach.
Journal of cognitive neuroscience – September 01, 2023
Summary
Participants in a virtual reality experiment reported strong sensations of floating and being high up in the virtual environment, yet only experienced a weak to moderate feeling of being "out of their body." Involving seven healthy individuals, the study utilized a multisensory approach where participants’ viewpoints were elevated. EEG data indicated significant changes in brain activity, including increased delta power and decreased alpha power, suggesting a connection between these shifts and altered conscious states during OBE-like experiences.
Abstract
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are subjective experiences of seeing one's own body and the environment from a location outside the physical body. T...
Sleep Paralysis and Lucid Dreaming-Between Waking and Dreaming: A Review about Two Extraordinary States.
Journal of clinical medicine – May 12, 2023
Summary
A significant connection exists between sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming, both linked to REM sleep. In a review of 10 studies, which included surveys with participant numbers ranging from 1 to 1,928, findings indicated positive correlations between these two states. While many participants reported experiencing both phenomena, their emotional tones and levels of control differed markedly. The current body of work is diverse in methodology and highlights the need for standardized approaches to further explore these intriguing aspects of consciousness.
Abstract
Sleep paralysis and lucid dreams are two states of consciousness that are connected to REM sleep but are defined by higher awareness in contrast to...
Neural Mechanisms and Psychology of Psychedelic Ego Dissolution
Pharmacological Reviews – September 09, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly reshape consciousness, offering insights into brain organization. Neuroscience demonstrates these drug studies primarily influence serotonergic 5-HT2A receptors, a key neurotransmitter receptor influencing behavior. Neuroimaging reveals this biochemical interaction leads to neuromodulatory changes affecting sentience and causing "ego dissolution," fundamentally altering selfhood. Psychology suggests this disarms ego resistance, expanding perceptual hypotheses. This extensive evidence helps understand how these substances alter our perception of the world, highlighting their impact on hierarchical processing.
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies of psychedelics have advanced our understanding of hierarchical brain organization and the mechanisms underlying their subject...
EEG Lempel-Ziv complexity varies with sleep stage, but does not seem to track dream experience.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2022
Summary
Complexity in brain activity during sleep reveals intriguing patterns. In a study involving 64-channel EEG with 30 participants, multi-channel signal diversity decreased from wakefulness to slow wave sleep. Interestingly, no significant differences emerged between dream and non-dream awakenings within NREM2 sleep. While Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZC) showed slight increases with more vivid dream reports, these correlations were not consistent across trials. This inconsistency challenges the notion that EEG LZC reliably reflects the richness of conscious experiences during dreaming and sleep stages.
Abstract
In a recent electroencephalography (EEG) sleep study inspired by complexity theories of consciousness, we found that multi-channel signal diversity...
Predictive coding, multisensory integration, and attentional control: A multicomponent framework for lucid dreaming.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America – November 01, 2022
Summary
Lucid dreaming (LD) offers a unique insight into consciousness, with 50-80% of individuals experiencing it at least once. This phenomenon involves vivid dream imagery and sensations like flying, linked to how our brain processes sensory information during sleep. A proposed framework suggests that LD arises from prediction error signals, which help create a self-model that integrates diverse sensory inputs. By enhancing attentional control and multisensory integration, this model aims to explain variations in LD experiences and the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms involved.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a mental state in which we realize not being awake but are dreaming while asleep. It often involves vivid, perceptually inte...
Detecting lucid dreams only by submentalis electromyography.
Sleep medicine – December 01, 2021
Summary
Four out of five volunteers successfully demonstrated lucidity in their dreams by sending signals through chin movements while experiencing muscle atonia during REM sleep. This innovative method, using a single submentalis electromyography (EMG) sensor, shows that dream signals can be transmitted effectively without the need for expensive polysomnography equipment. The simplified protocol could reduce costs significantly and enhance research efficiency, opening new avenues for exploring consciousness, training techniques, and even applications in sleep paralysis studies.
Abstract
Lucid dreams (LDs) occur when people become aware that they are dreaming. This phenomenon has a wide range of possible applications from the perspe...
Psilocybin-induced changes in brain network integrity and segregation correlate with plasma psilocin level and psychedelic experience.
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology – September 01, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, at a dose of 0.2-0.3 mg/kg, significantly impacts brain connectivity and subjective experiences in healthy individuals. In a study involving 15 participants, higher plasma psilocin levels correlated with reduced integrity and segregation of the default mode network (DMN) and other brain networks. Notably, increased functional connectivity among networks was observed, suggesting a shift in brain architecture during the psychedelic experience. These findings illuminate how psilocin influences both neural activity and consciousness, offering insights into its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
The emerging novel therapeutic psilocybin produces psychedelic effects via engagement of cerebral serotonergic targets by psilocin (active metaboli...
Is there a relation among REM sleep dissociated phenomena, like lucid dreaming, sleep paralysis, out-of-body experiences, and false awakening?
Medical hypotheses – November 01, 2020
Summary
A striking 88% of surveyed individuals in Moscow reported experiencing at least one REM sleep phenomenon, such as lucid dreaming, out-of-body experiences, false awakenings, or sleep paralysis. Among the 974 participants, 43% frequently encountered these phenomena, indicating a strong connection between them. The study revealed that the recurrence of these experiences correlates with sleep duration and dream recall frequency. This highlights the intricate relationship between various states of consciousness during REM sleep and enhances our understanding of these unique experiences.
Abstract
During REM sleep we normally experience dreams. However, there are other less common REM sleep phenomena, like lucid dreaming (LD), false awakening...
Distinct acute effects of LSD, MDMA, and d-amphetamine in healthy subjects
Neuropsychopharmacology – November 16, 2019
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) induces profoundly distinct psychological effects compared to MDMA (Ecstasy) or Dextroamphetamine. In a Pharmacology study involving 28 healthy subjects, LSD, a classic Hallucinogen, led to significantly higher ratings of altered consciousness and mystical experiences than active drugs or Placebo. While all three substances—including the Stimulant Amphetamine—showed similar autonomic responses, MDMA uniquely increased oxytocin, reflecting Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. This highlights critical differences in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, informed by Biochemical Analysis, for understanding their therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a classic psychedelic, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an empathogen, and d -amphetamine i...
Attempted induction of signalled lucid dreaming by transcranial alternating current stimulation.
Consciousness and cognition – August 01, 2020
Summary
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tAC) during REM sleep can enhance self-awareness in dreams, with 40% of participants reporting lucid dreams. Interestingly, a similar effect was observed with a sham procedure, suggesting that situational factors may play a key role in achieving this state. The findings indicate that while tAC shows promise for fostering lucid dreaming, the context and individual differences significantly influence dream self-awareness. This highlights the complex interplay between neurophysiology and consciousness during sleep.
Abstract
Neurophysiological correlates of self-awareness during sleep ('lucid dreaming') remain unclear despite their importance for clarifying the neural u...
Applying intervention mapping approach to a program for early intervention in first-episode mental crisis of a psychotic type.
Psicologia, reflexao e critica : revista semestral do Departamento de Psicologia da UFRGS – March 13, 2020
Summary
Participants in a program on the holotropic mind perspective reported significant shifts in understanding non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSC). Out of 100 professionals and students involved, 85% noted enhanced frameworks for mental health interventions, viewing NOSC as integral to human experience rather than purely pathological. Utilizing the Intervention Mapping protocol, the program emphasized experiential learning through Holotropic Breathwork®, promoting a compassionate approach to mental health crises. This innovative intervention fosters acceptance and care for individuals experiencing NOSC, ultimately enriching mental health support systems.
Abstract
The holotropic mind perspective, an integral part of the framework of transpersonal psychology, has been considered a revolutionary approach to a c...
Near-death experience: memory recovery during hypnosis.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) – January 01, 2024
Summary
Approximately 10-12% of cardiac arrest patients report vivid near-death experiences (NDEs), suggesting a deeper awareness during critical moments. A compelling case study of Stephanie Arnold, who experienced an NDE during childbirth, reveals that many may not remember their NDE due to memory impairment. Hypnotic regression therapy uncovered detailed perceptions beyond the five senses. Additionally, Arnold reported pre-cognitive insights about her cardiac event. Such experiences often lead to profound transformations in individuals’ understanding of consciousness, purpose, and appreciation for life.
Abstract
Increasing numbers of research studies have offered evidence regarding awareness of verified events during near-death experiences (NDEs) occurring ...
Breathwork-induced psychedelic experiences modulate neural dynamics.
Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) – August 01, 2024
Summary
Breathwork can induce "psychedelic-like" experiences, as evidenced by a study involving 14 novice participants who completed up to 28 sessions over 28 days. Analysis of 301 breathwork sessions revealed that increased neural complexity, measured through Lempel-Ziv metrics, correlated with these altered states of consciousness. Notably, non-linear neural features, including the aperiodic exponent of power spectral density, were linked to positive subjective experiences. This suggests that breathwork may share neurophenomenological dynamics with psychedelics, highlighting its potential for inducing profound emotional states.
Abstract
Breathwork is an understudied school of practices involving intentional respiratory modulation to induce an altered state of consciousness (ASC). W...
Measuring acute effects of subanesthetic ketamine on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in humans using TD-fNIRS.
Scientific reports – July 19, 2023
Summary
Ketamine administration significantly altered consciousness and physiological responses in a study involving 15 healthy participants, aged 32.4 on average. Specifically, pulse rates increased alongside electrodermal activity, indicating heightened arousal. Brain imaging revealed a reduction in low-frequency fluctuations and global connectivity in the prefrontal region. Notably, neural and physiological metrics showed potential as predictors for mystical experiences and decreased depressive symptoms. This pioneering use of time-domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-fNIRS) could pave the way for personalized psychedelic treatments in clinical settings.
Abstract
Quantifying neural activity in natural conditions (i.e. conditions comparable to the standard clinical patient experience) during the administratio...
Psychedelics reopen the social reward learning critical period
Nature – June 14, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics reopen critical periods for social learning in mice, a biological mechanism crucial for development. This 'period' of heightened brain plasticity, linked to consciousness alterations, is proportional to human subjective drug effects. These compounds, including those derived from chemical synthesis, restore oxytocin-mediated long-term depression in the nucleus accumbens, influencing behavior. This neuroscience discovery offers new medicine avenues for psychology and addiction disease treatment, advancing Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Psilocybin and similar compounds show promise.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics are a broad class of drugs defined by their ability to induce an altered state of consciousness 1,2 . These drugs have been u...
The cloud of unknowing: Cognitive dedifferentiation in whole-body perceptual deprivation.
Progress in brain research – January 01, 2023
Summary
Immersion in the OVO Whole-Body Perceptual Deprivation chamber (OVO-WBPD) consistently leads to profound alterations in perception. In a study of 32 participants, semi-structured interviews revealed a strong consensus on experiences characterized by cognitive dedifferentiation and altered time and space perception. Notably, 85% reported positively connoted, bodily-oriented states. This immersive environment promotes unique sensory experiences, blurring boundaries across modalities and enhancing mindfulness. The findings highlight the potential of such environments to transform subjective consciousness through perceptual deprivation.
Abstract
An altered sensory environment, especially a homogeneous one like a ganzfeld, can induce a wide range of experiences in people immersed in it. The ...