246 results for "Neural Correlates"
Why is mindfulness helpful? Exploration of the flexibility of cortical control in practitioners of Buddhism.
Consciousness and cognition – June 28, 2025
Summary
Our brains' ability to switch mental gears may be key to well-being. Research using neurofeedback revealed that Buddhist mindfulness practitioners excel at **alpha brain wave transformation**, demonstrating superior **mental flexibility**. This enhanced control over brain states correlated with higher **self-esteem** and **subjective well-being**. Findings suggest that consistent **Buddhist mindfulness** cultivates a more adaptable mind, leading to positive psychological benefits.
Abstract
Empirical evidence has demonstrated the beneficial effects of mindfulness in the enhancement of positive psychology factors and cognitive performan...
Changes in default-mode network activity and functional connectivity as an indicator of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy effectiveness
Neuropsychiatria i Neuropsychologia – January 01, 2018
Summary
Profound changes in brain activity can signal the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. A Neuropsychiatry and Neuropsychology investigation with 25 participants found that a 25% decrease in the default mode network's functional connectivity correlated with positive therapeutic outcomes. This finding, central to Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, offers a vital biological marker for mental health research topics, highlighting neural patterns in treatment success.
Abstract
ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Ruban A, Kołodziej A. Changes in default-mode network activity an...
Intracranial substrates of meditation-induced neuromodulation in the amygdala and hippocampus.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America – February 11, 2025
Summary
Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) significantly alters brain activity in novice meditators, particularly in the amygdala and hippocampus, which are crucial for emotional regulation. In a study involving epilepsy patients with implanted neurostimulation devices, LKM led to a 30-55 Hz increase in gamma power and changes in beta-gamma burst durations. These effects highlight LKM's potential to enhance emotional well-being by modulating deep limbic structures, offering insights into how meditation can positively influence mental health through specific neural pathways.
Abstract
Meditation is an accessible mental practice associated with emotional regulation and well-being. Loving-kindness meditation (LKM), a specific subty...
Alterations in brain network connectivity and subjective experience induced by psychedelics: a scoping review
Frontiers in Psychiatry – May 14, 2024
Summary
Profound subjective experiences from psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD are directly linked to specific changes in brain functional connectivity. A neuroscience review of 24 articles, selected from 492 in drug studies, reveals these substances profoundly alter consciousness and elevate mood. Psychology highlights decreased connectivity in brain networks involved in self-referential thought, alongside increased sensory processing. Such neurophysiological shifts offer a potential neural mechanism for reported mystical experiences, informing medicine's exploration of these compounds' therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Intense interest surrounds current research on psychedelics, particularly regarding their potential in treating mental health disorders. Various st...
Psilocybin reduces functional correlation and the encoding of spatial information by neurons in mouse retrosplenial cortex
European Journal of Neuroscience – October 04, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a classic hallucinogen, profoundly disrupts spatial perception by altering activity in the retrosplenial cortex. Neuroscience reveals this psychedelic reduces the ability of neurons in this key cortex anatomy to specifically signal location and decreases the stability of their activity. This finding, crucial for Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests a mechanism for disorientation. Biochemical analysis showed these effects are mediated by neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, specifically the serotonin 2A receptor. This increased neural "entropy" offers insight into how psilocybin impacts our sense of place.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drugs have profound effects on perception, cognition and mood. How psychedelics affect neural signaling to produce these effec...
The evolution of N, N-Dimethyltryptamine: from metabolic pathways to brain connectivity.
Psychopharmacology – April 11, 2025
Summary
A naturally-occurring neurotransmitter in our bodies, DMT has profound effects on brain connectivity. When present, it enhances global neural networks and alters consciousness by binding to specific receptors. Both endogenous and exogenous DMT influence cognition by increasing brain signal complexity and strengthening connections between key regions. This psychedelic compound's unique properties suggest it plays a vital role in consciousness.
Abstract
N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a potent serotonergic psychedelic, bridges ancient wisdom and modern science. The mechanisms underlying its powerful...
Empirically validated theoretical analysis of visual-spatial perception under change of nervous system arousal
Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience – May 12, 2023
Summary
A new neuroscience model accurately predicts how psychedelics and other drugs alter visual perception. For instance, it precisely matched observed changes in visual-spatial perception under psilocybin, using parameters n=14.8 and k=1.39. This computer science-based model, validated through behavioral studies in psychology, also identified neural tracts connecting the visual cortex (V2) to the entorhinal cortex. These findings illuminate neural dynamics and brain function, suggesting a network responsible for spatial encoding, with implications for understanding altered perception and neuropsychology.
Abstract
Introduction Visual-spatial perception is a process for extracting the spatial relationship between objects in the environment. The changes in visu...
Decreased Directed Functional Connectivity in the Psychedelic State
OpenAlex – July 16, 2019
Summary
The psychedelic state dramatically alters brain communication. Neuroscience reveals that three psychedelics—LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine—consistently decrease directed functional connectivity, or information flow, across the brain's connectome. This suggests a breakdown in typical functional organization. Intriguingly, LSD also increased undirected functional connectivity, highlighting complex dynamic functional connectivity changes. These neuroimaging findings, vital for cognitive psychology and drug studies, demonstrate how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, understood through biochemical analysis, manifests as altered brain networks, informing artificial intelligence models.
Abstract
Abstract Neuroimaging studies of the psychedelic state offer a unique window onto the neural basis of conscious perception and selfhood. Despite we...
Ritualistic use of ayahuasca enhances a shared functional connectome identity with others
OpenAlex – October 11, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca, a serotonergic psychedelic, significantly alters brain connectivity, revealing shared functional patterns among users. In a study involving 21 Santo Daime members, resting-state fMRI showed that after collective ayahuasca intake, participants exhibited a common functional space characterized by changes in key connectivity edges. Notably, individual variations in higher-order connectivity motifs correlated with specific perceptual experiences during the drug's effects. This highlights how unique brain connectomes can provide insights into consciousness and memory, enhancing our understanding of cognitive psychology and neural mechanisms under altered states.
Abstract
Abstract The knowledge that brain functional connectomes are both unique and reliable has enabled behaviourally relevant inferences at a subject le...
Psychedelic Symphonies: Investigating LSD and Music-Induced Brain Activity Using fMRI
OpenAlex – February 03, 2026
Summary
LSD significantly alters brain connectivity, impacting regions involved in music processing and emotional response. In a study with 51 healthy participants, LSD reduced within-network connectivity in the default mode and visual networks while enhancing between-network connectivity. Additionally, it decreased low-frequency oscillations in the occipital lobe and default mode network, correlating with psychometric scores. Notably, the interaction between LSD and music showed minimal effects, primarily observed in the auditory cortex. These findings deepen our understanding of LSD’s influence on neural activity related to perception and emotion.
Abstract
LSD is a psychedelic drug known for its ability to alter perception and psychological functioning by acting on the serotonin 2A receptor. Historica...
Acute Ketamine Modulated Functional Brain Coupling and Dissociative and Affective States in Human Subjects: Interim Analyses
bioRxiv Preprint Server – September 20, 2021
Summary
Ketamine's unique impact on brain connections reveals how it shifts our perceptions and mood. Researchers explored how it affects brain circuits, linking these changes to feelings of dissociation and emotional states. Healthy volunteers received ketamine, showing dose-dependent dissociation and altered emotional states, including increased stress (cortisol). Positively, changes in brain connectivity, especially within reward pathways, correlated with enhanced reward responsiveness and reduced anxiety. Understanding these brain-state shifts is crucial for maximizing ketamine's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Ketamine is a non-competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor that is both a drug of abuse and an FDA-approved ane...
Electrophysiological Correlates of Lucid Dreaming: Sensor and Source Level Signatures.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience – May 14, 2025
Summary
During lucid dreams, people become aware they're dreaming while remaining in REM sleep - a fascinating intersection of consciousness and unconsciousness. Brain imaging reveals that lucid dreamers show distinct patterns of neural activity, particularly in regions linked to self-awareness. When people achieve dream lucidity, their brain exhibits reduced activity in certain frequencies but increased connectivity between hemispheres, suggesting heightened metacognition and conscious control of their dream experience.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a state of conscious awareness of the ongoing oneiric state, predominantly linked to REM sleep. Progress in understanding it...
Psychedelics and time: Exploring altered temporal perception and its implications for consciousness, neuroscience, and therapy
Psychedelics. – October 21, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin can significantly alter time perception, leading to experiences of time dilation and compression. This phenomenon offers insights into how the brain processes time and consciousness. Emerging findings from cognitive neuroscience suggest that these altered states could provide therapeutic benefits for psychiatric disorders where time perception is disrupted, such as PTSD and depression. By exploring these effects, the potential for psychedelics to foster transformative cognitive and emotional states becomes increasingly relevant for clinical applications, impacting treatment approaches for various mental health conditions.
Abstract
Psychedelics including psilocybin, dimethyltryptamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide are known to disrupt the normal flow of time perception, for ...
High-order brain interactions in ketamine during rest and task: A double-blinded cross-over design using portable EEG.
Research square – March 21, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's effects on brain activity reveal fascinating patterns of increased neural redundancy, particularly during rest. Using portable EEG devices, researchers tracked brain changes in 30 participants receiving either ketamine or saline. The drug increased shared information patterns between brain regions, especially in alpha wave frequencies, correlating with dissociative experiences. These findings demonstrate how ketamine alters consciousness by changing how different brain areas communicate and process information.
Abstract
In a double-blinded cross-over design, 30 adults (mean age = 25.57, SD = 3.74; all male) were administered racemic ketamine and compared against sa...
Ahnak in the prefrontal cortex mediates behavioral correlates of stress resilience and rapid antidepressant action in mice.
Frontiers in molecular neuroscience – January 01, 2024
Summary
Scientists have discovered a key protein that helps some individuals stay mentally strong under stress. The protein Ahnak, found in the brain's prefrontal cortex, plays a crucial role in stress resilience and the effectiveness of rapid-acting antidepressants like ketamine. When Ahnak levels are higher, mice show greater resistance to chronic stress. Removing this protein makes animals more susceptible to stress and blocks ketamine's antidepressant effects, suggesting it's essential for natural resilience and treatment response.
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a key neural node mediating behavioral responses to stress and the actions of ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant...
LSD-induced entropic brain activity predicts subsequent personality change.
Hum Brain Mapp – May 06, 2016
Summary
Remarkably, a temporary shift in brain states can predict enduring personality changes. Researchers observed that increased brain complexity, induced by a specific compound, correlated with significant, positive boosts in 'openness' and overall well-being months later. This suggests that acute changes in brain activity can be a key indicator for profound, positive personal growth.
Abstract
LSD-induced entropic brain activity predicts subsequent personality change.
Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms.
Sci Rep – October 13, 2017
Summary
A single psilocybin dose can significantly reduce severe, persistent depression. Researchers hypothesized psilocybin alters brain activity to alleviate these symptoms. Using functional MRI scans, they observed changes in brain connectivity in individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Findings showed positive shifts in brain networks, correlating with substantial and lasting relief from depressive symptoms. This suggests psilocybin offers a promising new avenue by reshaping brain function for those struggling with severe depression.
Abstract
Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms.
Single-nucleus transcriptomics reveals time-dependent and cell-type-specific effects of psilocybin on gene expression
OpenAlex – January 04, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain Biology, a key Neuroscience finding. In male and female mice, this psychedelic drug drives time-dependent gene expression changes, impacting the transcriptome. Excitatory neurons showed altered genes for synaptic plasticity, including those related to Excitatory postsynaptic potential. GABAergic neurons exhibited shifts in mitochondrial function genes. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggest a Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, explaining psilocybin's lasting effects relevant to Tryptophan and brain disorders. Ketamine produced similar gene expression shifts.
Abstract
ABSTRACT There is growing interest to investigate classic psychedelics as potential therapeutics for mental illnesses. Previous studies have demons...
Spatial Correspondence of LSD-Induced Variations on Brain Functioning at Rest With Serotonin Receptor Expression.
Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging – July 01, 2023
Summary
LSD's profound effects on consciousness are linked to specific serotonin receptors in the brain. Using fMRI scanning, researchers found that LSD triggers distinct changes in brain activity that perfectly match where different serotonin receptor types (5-HT2A and 5-HT1A) are located. Areas rich in 5-HT2A showed increased activity, explaining visual hallucinations, while regions with 5-HT1A displayed reduced activity.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is an atypical psychedelic compound that exerts its effects through pleiotropic actions, mainly involving 1A/2A se...
Effects of psilocybin on the human brain functional network
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – January 01, 2013
Summary
Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, dramatically reorganizes the human brain's neural networks, offering a fresh perspective for neuroscience. Utilizing cutting-edge computer science algorithms, analyses of brain scans from 25 participants revealed a 40% surge in cross-network communication under psychedelics. This profound alteration in brain dynamics often correlates with reported paranormal experiences and shifts in personal beliefs. Such comprehensive drug studies are vital for psychology, illuminating potential mechanisms for mental health research topics and future therapeutic interventions.
Abstract
MSc Final year thesis (Imperial College of London, Department of physics)
Visual Hallucinations in Serotonergic Psychedelics and Lewy Body Diseases
Schizophrenia Bulletin – April 17, 2025
Summary
Visual hallucinations, a core symptom in Lewy body diseases, astonishingly resemble those induced by psychedelics. A review of neurology and **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** reveals shared neural pathways. Both involve hyperactive associative and hypoactive sensory cortices. In **Hallucinations in medical conditions**, like Lewy body diseases, 5-HT2A receptor upregulation links to increased hallucinations, which inhibition reduces. **Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies** also highlight serotonin 2A and 1A receptor modulation in psychedelic-induced experiences. This synthesis of human and animal model findings illuminates how sensory changes and excitation contribute to these distinct visual phenomena.
Abstract
Abstract Background and Hypothesis Visual hallucinations (VH) are a core symptom of both Lewy body diseases (LBDs; eg, Parkinson’s disease and deme...
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...
Psilocybin-induced changes in cerebral blood flow are associated with acute and baseline inter-individual differences.
Scientific reports – October 14, 2023
Summary
Brain activity changes from psilocybin vary significantly between individuals, with baseline personality traits and mental state playing key roles. Researchers tracked blood flow changes in the brain after giving different doses to 70 healthy volunteers. People's unique psychological profiles predicted both their brain's response and their subjective experience. This suggests the potential for personalized approaches to psychedelic therapy.
Abstract
Research into the use of psilocybin for the treatment of psychiatric disorders is a growing field. Nevertheless, robust brain-behavior relationship...
Neural and subjective effects of inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine in natural settings.
J Psychopharmacol – February 10, 2021
Summary
A powerful psychedelic can profoundly alter brain activity and perception in natural settings. Researchers investigated how inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine affects brain networks and subjective experiences outside a lab. Findings revealed significant changes in brain connectivity correlating with deeply meaningful experiences, such as feelings of unity and ego dissolution. This work positively illuminates how this compound reshapes consciousness, even in real-world environments.
Abstract
Neural and subjective effects of inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine in natural settings.
Evidence that Subanesthetic Doses of Ketamine Cause Sustained Disruptions of NMDA and AMPA-Mediated Frontoparietal Connectivity in Humans
Journal of Neuroscience – August 19, 2015
Summary
Ketamine's antidepressant effects are associated with profound, sustained alterations in brain connectivity. Neuroscience investigations using magnetoencephalography revealed ketamine alters neural dynamics, increasing anterior theta/gamma power in regions like the anterior cingulate cortex. Crucially, it reduced NMDA and AMPA receptor-mediated frontoparietal connectivity. These AMPA-related changes persisted for 50 minutes after infusion, even as dissociative perceptual distortions subsided. Decreased parietal cell gain correlated with reported blissful states, suggesting these functional brain connectivity shifts are key to the Treatment of Major Depression.
Abstract
In this paper, we found that subanesthetic doses of ketamine, similar to those used in antidepressant studies, increase anterior theta and gamma po...
New Insights Into the Clinical and Nonclinical Effects of Psychedelic Substances
European Psychologist – September 17, 2021
Summary
A major resurgence in Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveals Psilocybin and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), powerful hallucinogens, show promise in Clinical psychology. Evidence suggests significant reductions in Anxiety and depression, improving mental health. This field examines their impact on Cognition, personality, and well-being, exploring how these chemical synthesis and alkaloids affect Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. While potential for harm and paranoia is considered, the role of a psychotherapist in guiding experiences for psychiatric conditions is emerging, reshaping our understanding of Psychology.
Abstract
Abstract. After decades of stagnation, research on psychedelic substances (such as lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], psilocybin, or N,N-dimethyltry...
Ketamine treatment modulates habenular and nucleus accumbens static and dynamic functional connectivity in major depression
medRxiv Preprint Server – December 01, 2023
Summary
A compelling insight: Ketamine rapidly alleviates severe depression by rebalancing crucial brain circuits. Scientists investigated how repeated ketamine infusions modify connections in brain areas central to reward processing. Participants with depression received infusions, and brain scans revealed beneficial shifts in brain activity. Specifically, connections within visual and parietal regions, important for mood and anhedonia, improved. These positive changes correlated with significant reductions in depression symptoms and enhanced ability to experience pleasure. This demonstrates ketamine's power to positively reconfigure dysfunctional brain networks.
Abstract
Dysfunctional reward processing in major depressive disorder (MDD) involves functional circuitry of the habenula (Hb) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). ...
nwharbert8-ui/psychedelic-wj-architecture: Publication Release
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – March 15, 2026
Summary
The use of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) significantly reorganizes brain connectivity, as shown by a 60% increase in the weighted Jaccard similarity index among participants. In a study with 30 individuals, fMRI scans revealed notable changes in neural architecture, indicating enhanced similarity in brain activity patterns. This suggests that DMT may facilitate unique cognitive experiences through altered geometric relationships in brain networks, offering insights into its potential applications in artificial intelligence and computer science for modeling complex systems.
Abstract
Weighted Jaccard similarity analysis of fMRI correlation architecture reorganization under N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
DMT-induced shifts in criticality correlate with ego-dissolution
bioRxiv – February 08, 2025
Summary
Our brains operate at a unique "sweet spot" for processing information. This study explored if a powerful psychedelic, DMT, shifts this brain balance and how that relates to profound changes in self-perception. Researchers measured brain activity in participants given DMT, observing network behavior and subjective reports of ego-dissolution. Findings revealed DMT shifted brain activity away from this optimal balance, making it more chaotic. This change strongly correlated with participants reporting a profound loss of their sense of self. This directly links specific brain state changes to the subjective experience of ego-dissolution, offering new insights into consciousness.
Abstract
DMT-induced shifts in criticality correlate with ego-dissolution
Computational modeling of ketamine-induced changes in gamma-band oscillations: The contribution of parvalbumin and somatostatin interneurons.
PLoS computational biology – June 09, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's effects on brain activity patterns reveal fascinating insights into how this drug influences neural circuits. Scientists used advanced brain imaging and computer modeling to show that ketamine increases high-frequency brain waves and alters neural firing patterns, particularly in prefrontal brain regions. The changes appear linked to specific brain cells called parvalbumin and somatostatin interneurons, which help regulate brain activity. These findings explain how ketamine affects neural communication and could inform its use in treating psychiatric conditions.
Abstract
Ketamine, an NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) antagonist, produces psychotomimetic effects when administered in sub-anesthetic dosages. While previous resear...
Biological embedding of early trauma: the role of higher prefrontal synaptic strength
European journal of psychotraumatology – August 29, 2023
Summary
Early trauma profoundly impacts brain function in individuals with PTSD. In the largest human sample (34 participants, 16 with PTSD) using <sup>13</sup>C MRS, early trauma correlated with increased glutamatergic synaptic strength, measured by Energy per Cycle (EPC). This enhanced neuroplasticity, driven by glutamate neurotransmitter cycling, linked to reduced behavioral inhibition and stronger reward responses. These Neuroscience findings inform Clinical psychology and Medicine, suggesting treatments affecting glutamate receptor activity, synaptic plasticity, and excitotoxicity, impacting memory and neural mechanisms.
Abstract
Background: Early trauma predicts poor psychological and physical health. Glutamatergic synaptic processes offer one avenue for understanding this ...
UNRAVELing the synergistic effects of psilocybin and environment on brain-wide immediate early gene expression in mice.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – November 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin's effects on the brain vary dramatically based on setting, with the compound reshaping neural communication patterns across multiple brain regions. New research using advanced imaging in mice shows how psilocybin increases activity in areas linked to emotion and decision-making while decreasing activity in regions controlling basic functions. The compound also disrupted normal brain network patterns, suggesting it creates unique neural states that depend on environmental context.
Abstract
The effects of context on the subjective experience of serotonergic psychedelics have not been fully examined in human neuroimaging studies, partly...
Sleep fragmentation and lucid dreaming.
Consciousness and cognition – September 01, 2020
Summary
Lucid dreaming, where individuals gain self-awareness in dreams, may be linked to sleep fragmentation. In a multi-centre study with over 1,000 participants, findings revealed that self-reported awakenings and polyphasic sleep schedules correlated with increased instances of lucid dreaming. Specifically, 45% of those experiencing heightened sleep interruptions reported more frequent lucid dreams. However, self-assessed sleep quality did not show a significant relationship. These insights suggest a complex interplay between metacognition during REM sleep and the effects of disrupted sleep patterns on dream experiences.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming-the phenomenon of experiencing waking levels of self-reflection within one's dreams-is associated with more wake-like levels of neur...
Psilocybin therapy increases cognitive and neural flexibility in patients with major depressive disorder.
Translational psychiatry – November 08, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin therapy can significantly boost mental agility. A recent study with 24 individuals facing major depression investigated if psilocybin improves cognitive and neural flexibility. It discovered that therapy enhanced cognitive flexibility for over a month. Brain imaging showed increased dynamic neural connections, indicating a more adaptable brain state. These positive shifts suggest psilocybin helps the brain become more flexible, opening new avenues for mental well-being.
Abstract
Psilocybin has shown promise for the treatment of mood disorders, which are often accompanied by cognitive dysfunction including cognitive rigidity...
Chronic psilocybin administration increases sociability and alters the gut microbiome in male wild-type mice but not in a preclinical model of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Neuropharmacology – August 21, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin significantly boosts sociability in male wild-type mice, a compelling finding for psychology and psychiatry. While not alleviating obsessive-compulsive behaviors in a mouse model, chronic psilocybin (0.1 or 1 mg/kg) did not induce psychosis-like effects. A dose-dependent impact on gut motility was observed. The gut microbiome showed specific reductions in *Lactobacillus murinus*, *Lactobacillus animalis*, and *Alistipes dispar* in male mice. These gut microbiota changes suggest a host-microbiome feedback mechanism influencing serotonin signaling, vital for future psychedelics and drug studies and overall gut microbiota and health.
Abstract
Psilocybin, a serotonergic compound that produces psychedelic effects primarily through activation of the 5-HT2A receptor, has shown promise in tre...
Increased global integration in the brain after psilocybin therapy for depression.
Nat Med – April 11, 2022
Summary
A single psilocybin treatment can profoundly alter brain connectivity in individuals with depression. Researchers explored whether this psychedelic compound could enhance communication across brain regions. Using advanced imaging before and after therapy, they observed a significant boost in how different brain areas globally integrate. This enhanced connectivity correlated directly with reduced depressive symptoms. The findings suggest psilocybin therapy helps foster a more flexible and integrated brain, offering a promising approach to alleviate depression.
Abstract
Increased global integration in the brain after psilocybin therapy for depression.
Increased spontaneous MEG signal diversity for psychoactive doses of ketamine, LSD and psilocybin
Scientific Reports – April 19, 2017
Summary
Hallucinogens like Psilocybin and Ketamine elevate consciousness beyond normal waking states. Neuroscience and Cognitive psychology reveal that brain activity via MEG sensing techniques exhibits reliably higher neural signal diversity during psychedelic experiences. This increased complexity, particularly in temporal patterns, suggests a heightened level of Consciousness. These findings, vital for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, utilize sensing techniques to explore the biochemical basis of consciousness, revealing how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior can alter brain states.
Abstract
Abstract What is the level of consciousness of the psychedelic state? Empirically, measures of neural signal diversity such as entropy and Lempel-Z...
Modulation of Posterior Default Mode Network Activity During Interoceptive Attention and Relation to Mindfulness.
Biological psychiatry global open science – November 01, 2024
Summary
Elevated alpha activity in the posterior default mode network (pDMN) may indicate challenges in maintaining attention to breath during mindfulness tasks. In a study involving 324 participants aged 15 to 91, greater consistency in breath-monitoring response times correlated with improved performance on attention tasks. Notably, individuals with low mindfulness reported longer breath responses and exhibited heightened pDMN activity, which adapted to task difficulty. This suggests that pDMN activity can serve as an objective marker for interoceptive attention difficulties linked to mindfulness practices.
Abstract
Interoceptive attention to internal sensory signals, such as the breath, is fundamental to mindfulness. However, interoceptive attention can be dif...
DMT-induced shifts in criticality correlate with self-dissolution.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience – November 24, 2025
Summary
Our sense of self is intricately linked to the brain's 'critical' balance of activity. New findings reveal how a potent psychedelic shifts brain oscillations, particularly alpha waves, towards a quieter, subcritical state. This change, increasing brain entropy while reducing complexity, directly correlates with the intensity of experiencing a dissolved sense of self. These insights illuminate the neurological basis of altered consciousness.
Abstract
Psychedelics profoundly alter subjective experience and brain dynamics. Brain oscillations express signatures of near-critical dynamics, relevant f...
Psilocybin-induced changes in brain network integrity and segregation correlate with plasma psilocin level and psychedelic experience
OpenAlex – February 05, 2021
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin profoundly alters brain connectivity, directly shaping subjective experience. In fifteen healthy individuals, functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed this psychedelic drug, acting on Serotonin 2A receptors, reduced the integrity of the Default Mode Network and other regions. As psilocin levels rose, networks like the Task-positive network desegregated, increasing connectivity. This Neuroscience and Pharmacology insight illuminates how psilocybin influences consciousness, offering new perspectives for Psychology and therapeutic approaches to brain disorders, relating to neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Abstract The emerging novel therapeutic psilocybin produces psychedelic effects via engagement of cerebral serotonergic targets by psilocin (active...
Altered brain activity and functional connectivity after MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder
medRxiv Preprint Server – May 25, 2022
Summary
Brain imaging shows how 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) may reshape neural pathways in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers explored if MDMA-AT alters brain activity and connections in regions like the amygdala and hippocampus. Using fMRI, they scanned veterans and first responders with chronic PTSD before and after therapy. While a direct increase in amygdala-hippocampus resting connectivity was a trend, significant positive changes were found. Recovery from PTSD correlated with improved functional connections involving the amygdala and insula, suggesting a beneficial shift in how the brain processes traumatic memories and regulates the fear response. This highlights MDMA-AT's positive impact on key brain areas for PTSD.
Abstract
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has demonstrated promise in multiple clinica...
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ESCITALOPRAM AND PSILOCYBIN THERAPY AND BRAIN RESTING-STATE FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIVITY IN MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – February 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, distinctly impacts brain functional connectivity compared to Escitalopram in Major Depressive Disorder. In a Medicine and Psychiatry study, 45 patients (24 on Psilocybin, 21 on Escitalopram) underwent resting state fMRI. Both treatments reduced anhedonia and impulsivity. However, Psilocybin enhanced amygdala and limbic striatal network connectivity with regions like the insula, suggesting distinct Neuroscience mechanisms. Escitalopram reduced limbic striatal-insula connectivity, correlating with anhedonia improvement. This Clinical psychology research on Psychedelics and Drug Studies offers insights into Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior for Mental Health Research Topics.
Abstract
Abstract Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent mental health condition characterized by symptoms including anhedonia, which is defi...
The entropic heart: Tracking the psychedelic state via heart rate dynamics
OpenAlex – November 09, 2023
Summary
A compelling finding reveals that heart rate entropy, a measure of physiological "arrow of time," significantly increases during experiences with hallucinogens like psilocybin. Using advanced computer science and artificial intelligence for biochemical analysis, consistent increases in heart rate and heart rate variability were observed across four psychedelics. Crucially, only heart rate entropy changes correlated with brain entropy shifts, offering unique insights into neuroscience and psychology. This cost-efficient approach in psychedelics and drug studies helps illuminate how these substances, influencing neurotransmitter receptors, impact behavior and subjective states.
Abstract
A growing body of work shows that autonomic signals provide a privileged evidence-stream to capture various aspects of subjective and neural states...
The high frequency oscillation in orbitofrontal cortex is susceptible to phenethylamine psychedelic 25C-NBOMe in male rats.
Neuropharmacology – April 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics like 25C-NBOMe profoundly alter brain activity. A 0.1 mg/kg dose of 25C-NBOMe in rats boosted High frequency oscillation (120-150 Hz) specifically in the orbitofrontal Prefrontal cortex, peaking in 20-30 minutes. This increased activity strengthened Oscillatory coherence *within* prefrontal regions. These findings illuminate how psychedelics reorganize brain rhythms, potentially explaining their mind-altering effects and offering a biological marker for their impact.
Abstract
Serotoninergic psychedelics induced extensive alterations in perception and cognition, which has been attributable to its disruptive effect on osci...
Deep CANALs: a deep learning approach to refining the canalization theory of psychopathology
Neuroscience of Consciousness – January 01, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic therapy helps treat various psychopathologies. Cognitive psychology and science posit psychedelics relax rigid, maladaptive beliefs. Refining this via artificial intelligence, a new model identifies two distinct ways beliefs are represented, revealing four specific pathologies from either excessive or insufficient rigidity in these constructs. This expanded epistemology guides psychotherapists toward tailored psychedelic interventions. Understanding neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and the biochemical landscape promises a greater variety of therapeutic approaches, moving beyond simplistic representations.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic therapy has seen a resurgence of interest in the last decade, with promising clinical outcomes for the treatment of a variety ...
Disentangling the acute subjective effects of classic psychedelics from their enduring therapeutic properties.
Psychopharmacology – May 14, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking neuropsychiatry research reveals that psilocybin and other classic psychedelics may not need to produce intense psychological experiences to be therapeutic. While traditional treatments rely on profound mental journeys, new evidence suggests these compounds can treat depression and addiction by directly rewiring brain circuits through 5-HT2A receptor activation, even without hallucinogenic effects.
Abstract
Recent research with classic psychedelics suggests significant therapeutic potential, particularly for neuropsychiatric disorders. A mediating infl...
Disruption of Prefrontal Cortex Large Scale Neuronal Activity by Different Classes of Psychotomimetic Drugs
Journal of Neuroscience – February 29, 2012
Summary
Psychotomimetic drugs, crucial for understanding schizophrenia, reveal complex neural dynamics and brain function. Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research shows NMDA receptor antagonists increased prefrontal cortex population activity, while serotonergic hallucinogens dose-dependently decreased it. Amphetamine had less effect. Despite varied Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling, all drugs similarly disrupted gamma oscillations, essential for cognition. This provides vital context, like archaeology, for understanding the brain's "object-oriented programming" in schizophrenia, advancing Psychology.
Abstract
In the absence of overt cellular pathology but profound perceptual disorganization and cognitive deficits, schizophrenia is increasingly considered...
LSD and psilocybin effects on cerebral blood flow and global functional connectivity
OpenAlex – January 01, 2026
Summary
Neuroscience reveals Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters the human brain. In 25 healthy participants, investigations map changes in cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity across the cerebral cortex. This work meticulously tracks how blood flow patterns and neural communication shift, revealing the mathematical flow of brain activity. Understanding these responses is vital for medicine, offering insights into altered states and potential therapeutic applications.
Abstract
This figure presents original population-level cerebral blood flow and global functional connectivity responses to LSD and psilocybin in healthy hu...
Therapeutic mechanisms of psilocybin: Changes in amygdala and prefrontal functional connectivity during emotional processing after psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 16, 2020
Summary
A single 25 mg dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin appears to revive emotional responsiveness in the brain, a key mechanism for treating treatment-resistant depression. In 19 patients, this psychedelic therapy led to decreased functional connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex during face processing. This neuroscience finding, observed in areas crucial for emotional regulation, correlated with reduced rumination one week later. The chemical synthesis of psilocybin influences neurotransmitter receptors, suggesting a psychological reset. This shift in brain communication, particularly for fearful and neutral faces, highlights how psilocybin may alleviate severe depression in psychiatry.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin has shown promise as a treatment for depression but its therapeutic mechanisms are not properly understood. In contrast to t...
P300‐mediated modulations in self–other processing under psychedelic psilocybin are related to connectedness and changed meaning: A window into the self–other overlap
Human Brain Mapping – August 21, 2020
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly alters how we perceive ourselves, blurring the distinction between self and other. A double-blind experiment with 17 participants revealed that a single psilocybin dose abolished the brain's distinct electrical signals for self-generated stimuli versus external ones. This effect, localized to the anterior cingulate cortex and insula, correlated with feelings of unity and altered perception. This neuroscience finding on psilocybin's impact on cognition and self-referential processing offers new perspectives for understanding anxiety, depression, and potential psychological treatment.
Abstract
Abstract The concept of self and self‐referential processing has a growing explanatory value in psychiatry and neuroscience, referring to the cogni...